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SDCS Customer Appreciation Event Set for July 19

The Shakopee Dakota Convenience Stores will celebrate 30 years of service later this month by hosting a Customer Appreciation Event on Wednesday, July 19, from 10am-3pm at SDCS #2 (14160 Wilds Path NW).

Since opening its first location on Valentine’s Day in 1994, the Shakopee Dakota Convenience Stores have developed a reputation for its friendly staff, excellent customer service, and high-quality fuel and products.

Enjoy exciting activities and giveaways at the Customer Appreciation Event including:

  • An appearance by Crisco from KS95.
  • First 50 customers will receive a golden ticket for 30¢ off per gallon of fuel.
  • Drawings for Twins tickets, coolers, fire pits, gift cards, and more.
  • In-store specials (all day) and samplings (11am-1pm).
  • Brat Wagon Special: hot dog or brat, chips, and a 32-oz fountain pop for $3 (10am-2pm).
  • $3 deluxe car washes (all day).

Don’t miss on-site samples, prizes, giveaways, and drawings thanks to our amazing sponsors!
Pepsi • Old Dutch • Minnesota State Lottery • Red Bull • Bimbo Bakeries • Farner-Bocken • RC • Molo Petroleum • KS95

Visit sdcstores.com to learn more about the Shakopee Dakota Convenience Stores and sign up for Premium Rewards by texting “Enroll SDCS” to 78500 to save with every visit.

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community breaks ground on new, state-of-the-art organics recycling facility in Louisville Township

New facility will divert up to 172,000 tons of organics per year from local landfills

Prior Lake, Minn. — On June 27, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) broke ground on its new organics recycling facility named Dakota Prairie Composting in Louisville Township. Dakota Prairie Composting will replace the tribe’s current organics recycling facility in Shakopee, which is one of only two large-scale composting facilities processing source-separated organics in the Twin Cities metro area. Construction will begin in July, and the facility is expected to be fully operational by summer 2024.

The new Dakota Prairie Composting facility will collect and recycle commercial and residential organics, and sell compost, soil blends, and mulch. This facility will help Minnesota reach its goal of recycling 75% of the state’s waste by 2030 while protecting and enhancing the environment for current and future generations. It is located on 93 acres near the intersection of highways 169 and 41 in Louisville Township.

Drawing on several years of research and site visits across the country, the new facility’s design will incorporate state-of-the-art technology. Using an aerated static pile system and biofilter, the facility will compost materials efficiently and effectively with minimal odor. An advanced stormwater reclamation system, funded by a federal 2023 Community Project Funding appropriation, will allow for water reuse and containment protecting area surface and groundwater.

“Guided by our tribe’s Dakota values and commitment to caring for the Earth, our organics recycling facility will protect and preserve the environment for future generations,” said SMSC Chairman Keith B. Anderson. “This history-making facility will help our state reduce its reliance on landfills, conserve energy and natural resources, and reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. We are glad to celebrate this milestone and appreciate the dedication of the agencies and government officials that have supported this project.”

The current SMSC Organics Recycling Facility prevents an average of 70,000 tons of organic waste from entering landfills each year. The new facility will process more than double that amount, diverting up to 172,000 tons of organics per year from local landfills – a reduction of 21,000 metric tons of carbon per year. From 2013-2020, the current facility accounted for 22.9% of organic material composted in the metro area.

“Having worked closely with Sens. Klobuchar and Smith and leaders of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) to secure federal funding for this project, I’m confident it will help ensure that the region’s water is clean of environmental concerns,” said U.S. Representative Angie Craig. “This is what happens when we work together at all levels of government – we can make real progress and improve people’s lives.”

Located in Shakopee since 2011, the SMSC’s current organics recycling facility will be closed once all compost and yard waste operations are transitioned to the Dakota Prairie Composting facility, likely by the end of 2024.

In addition, the tribe will fund improvements to the Trunk Highway 41 intersection in Louisville Township. The improvements will add bypass and turn lanes and install rail crossing safety improvements, which will ease congestion and improve road safety.

To download photos from the groundbreaking event and a rendering of the new facility, click here.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) is a federally recognized, sovereign Dakota tribal government located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Following a Dakota tradition of generosity, the SMSC is one of the top philanthropists in Minnesota and is the largest contributor to other tribal governments and causes across the country. It is a strong community partner and a leader in protecting and restoring natural resources. The SMSC’s government, Gaming Enterprise, and various other enterprises are collectively the largest employer in Scott County and attract millions of visitors to the region.

Enjoy Local, Organic Produce Responsibly Grown by the SMSC

One of the best parts of summer in Minnesota is enjoying locally grown vegetables, fruits, and herbs. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) makes it easy for local residents to enjoy these gifts of the season. Mazopiya, a natural food market and café owned and operated by the SMSC, offers locally grown, in-season vegetables grown at the Community’s very own Wozupi Tribal Gardens, which is about one mile from the store.

Meaning “garden” in the Dakota language, Wozupi (pronounced woh-zhu-pee) is a certified organic vegetable garden and fruit orchard. The produce at Wozupi is hand-picked at the peak of freshness, immediately cooled, and prepared for the short drive to Mazopiya. This means that customers receive the freshest and most natural vegetables and fruits possible, perfect for a healthy snack or as the star in summer salads and dishes.

Wozupi grows food in a natural way that nourishes the earth, prioritizing the traditional Native American practices of land stewardship. As part of its mission to be a good steward of the earth, Wozupi practices what some farmers call “beyond organic” to achieve environmental and ethical goals that exceed those that are required to be a certified organic farm.

These practices include no-till soil management, intensive compost application, cover cropping, living mulches, supporting and enhancing the surrounding ecosystem, and using beneficial insects to control pests. Because of this commitment to sustainable and natural farming, you can feel good about what you’re putting into your body and trust that it was grown with minimal impact to our planet.

Wozupi also has a greenhouse and high tunnels, allowing it to push the definition of “in season” by starting crops indoors before the growing season has started. That means Mazopiya is always one of the first markets in the area with locally grown produce and can extend the harvest season to nine months a year. Here’s what you can expect to find on Mazopiya’s shelves from Wozupi this season:

  • Cucumbers
  • Kale
  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Zucchini
  • Scallions
  • Fresh herbs
  • Salad greens
  • Carrots

Many of these fresh ingredients will also be featured in Mazopiya deli items this summer. Swing by and look for the Wozupi signs in the Mazopiya produce section and you’ll know you’re getting nothing but the freshest produce available.

Public Invited to Celebrate Dakota Culture Through Livestream Performance

The public is invited on May 19 to view a livestream performance of Young Native Pride, an annual celebration by Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community youth which honors and showcases Dakota culture, values, and traditions. During the event—now in its 24th year—youth will dance in several categories, including Men’s Traditional, Grass, and Fancy Feather, and Women’s Traditional, Jingle, and Fancy Shawl.

The livestream performance begins at 1pm and will be available at hocokatati.org/ynp.

SMSC Spring Blood Drive Sees Record Turnout, Potentially Saving 234 Lives

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) hosted a spring blood drive at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness in early April as part of an ongoing partnership with Memorial Blood Centers. During the drive, donors gave a combined 78 units of blood which have the potential to save the lives of 234 hospital patients. This year, a record number of 15 donors were first-time participants at the event.

Every two seconds someone in the United State needs blood or platelets. Blood donation events like this one are crucial to ensuring that everyone has access to lifesaving treatments when they need it.

To learn more about blood drives at the SMSC and sign up for future public donation events, please watch for updates at shakopeedakota.org.

SMSC to Host its First-Ever Language Bowl

Hoċokata Ṫi is set to host the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s first-ever Dak̇ota Iapi Akiciyapi (Dakota Language Bowl) on May 20 from 9am-5pm. The competition is part of the SMSC’s continuous effort to revitalize and sustain the Dakota language.

Participants will be asked to demonstrate their Dakota language knowledge during four rounds of competition by speaking, singing, and taking quizzes. Challenges will include having a conversation with judges, showing knowledge of Dakota words and phrases, and singing a traditional or common English song in Dakota. Teams of three people will compete in one of four categories: youth beginner, youth intermediate, adult beginner, and adult intermediate.

All are welcome to participate and attend the language bowl. Teams that register by May 13 will receive a free T-shirt. Same-day registration is accepted but does not guarantee a T-shirt. Registration will take place from 9-9:30am ahead of the day’s competition. The awards ceremony for all categorties will take place at the end of competition (around 5pm).

Visit hocokatati.org/dakota-language-bowl to register, view study guides, and for more information.