The Meadows at Mystic Lake Earns Golfweek Honors
The Meadows at Mystic Lake—the SMSC’s award-winning golf course—added another feather in its cap this week as Golfweek named the venue one of its top 10 public-access golf courses in the state of Minnesota.
Golfweek’s Best ranked The Meadows at No. 7 on its “Best Courses You Can Play” list for each state, as scored by its nationwide network of raters.
The Meadows at Mystic Lake, which celebrates its 20th anniversary as an SMSC enterprise in 2025, has been recognized by Golfweek in each of the last 15 golf seasons dating back to 2011.
Don’t miss out on an unforgettable experience this season at The Meadows at Mystic Lake. Tee times, additional amenities, and dining options are available at golfthemeadows.com.
Brat Wagon Season is Here
The Brat Wagon is back this summer and better than ever—now with two days each week to visit one of the SMSC’s most popular lunch offerings!
Your favorite items will be rolling hot off the grill every Wednesday and Friday at SDCS #1 (15035 Mystic Lake Drive), across the street from Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. Starting Wednesday, May 28 and running through the end of August, SDCS staff will be serving up hot dogs, brats, burgers, and chicken sandwiches all summer long. And don’t miss out on the basket and healthy combo offerings!
Brat Wagon Schedule
Location: SDCS #1 (15035 Mystic Lake Drive)
Dates: Wednesdays and Fridays, May 28-End of August
Time: 10am-2pm
Menu: sdcstores.com/bratwagon/
Free Food Distributions Coming Up
#SMSCgives Food Distribution FAQs
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) will be hosting its annual #SMSCgives Free Food Distributions on Wednesday, May 21 and Wednesday, June 18 in the Dakotah! Ice Center parking lot in Prior Lake.
Free food and produce will be available for pickup on May 21 from 3-6pm and on June 18 from 3-6pm. Please note, vehicles may begin lining up no earlier than 2pm.
Honoring the tradition of wóokiya (generosity and helping), the SMSC has a strong tradition of helping others and continually investing in people, neighbors, local organizations, and Native tribes across the country. Learn more about the SMSC’s philanthropic efforts and initiatives at shakopeedakota.org/philanthropy/.
#SMSCgives Free Food Distribution #1
Date: Wednesday, May 21
Time: 3-6pm
Location: Dakotah! Ice Center parking lot (2100 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake, MN 55372)
#SMSCgives Free Food Distribution #2
Date: Wednesday, June 18
Time: 3-6pm
Location: Dakotah! Ice Center parking lot (2100 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake, MN 55372)
Three Golfers Earn U.S. Women’s Open Bids After The Meadows Qualifier
Minami Katsu, Jing Yan (co-medalist), and Grace Kim (co-medalist) earned invitations to the upcoming 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin following Tuesday’s qualifying event at The Meadows at Mystic Lake.
In a competitive field of nearly 60 golfers for the 36-hole competition, Yan and Kim shared top honors with scores of 7-under 137 while Katsu finished one shot back at 6-under 138. Eleven competitors finished at par or better at the award-winning course, including Isabella McCauley — the top performance by a Minnesota native at 1-under 143.
‘It brings us back to our roots’: Teams gathered in Shakopee for Dakota language competition
MPR News was on hand for the Dakota Language Bowl in April as more than 40 teams participated in the daylong event and celebrated the Dakota language.
Check Out the Spring Edition of Wiċoṡkaŋ
Spring Issue | Publication Archive
Welcome to the spring issue of Wiċoṡkaŋ! The Dakota word Wiċoṡkaŋ possesses multiple meanings, but within this publication it refers to the actions and efforts of a group of people. We are excited to share more stories about the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) through this quarterly magazine in the months ahead.
Spring is a time of renewal, growth, and new beginnings — a sentiment that resonates deeply within the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. This spring issue is dedicated to celebrating the SMSC’s rich history, enduring legacy, and the trailblazers who have helped shape the Community. Inside, you’ll find compelling stories that highlight the SMSC’s guiding values and cultural traditions, offering a deeper understanding of what makes the SMSC so unique.
From welcoming our bison relatives back to the Dakota homelands to inspiring personal journeys, this issue is a tribute to the the SMSC’s past, a reflection of its present, and a vision for its future. Readers will learn about the late SMSC Chairman Stanley Crooks’ induction into the Native American Hall of Fame, the tribe’s new philanthropic campaign aimed at improving Native youth health and fitness called IndigeFit Kids, and Mystic Lake Casino Hotel’s new gaming and entertainment options. These stories are just a glimpse of what this spring issue has to offer.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, entertainment, or fresh perspectives, we hope this issue of Wiċoṡkaŋ inspires you and leaves you with something meaningful to carry forward. We are grateful for the opportunity to share these stories, which reflect our enduring strength, resilience, and commitment to building a brighter future together.
Thank you for being part of this journey to help keep our stories alive and our traditions strong.
Ṗiuŋdapi (We are thankful).
The Meadows at Mystic Lake to Host U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier
The Meadows at Mystic Lake will add another noteworthy event to its illustrious history book this month when the award-winning SMSC golf course hosts a U.S. Women’s Open qualifying event on Tuesday, May 13.
As one of 23 qualifying sites across the U.S. (plus one each in Canada, Japan, and Italy), The Meadows at Mystic Lake will offer the competitive field a 36-hole challenge on the final scheduled day of qualifying events. Last year’s U.S. Women’s Open saw 26 golfers from qualifying events make the 36-hole cut at Lancaster Country Club.
The 80th U.S. Women’s Open Championship will be held at Erin Hills in Erin, Wisconsin, from May 29-June 1.
Where Taste Meets Tradition
Offering an extensive menu suitable for any occasion, Native Harvest Catering has built a reputation for providing memorable culinary experiences.
Learn more about Native Harvest Catering in Wiċoṡkaŋ: The Magazine of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community: isu.pub/QJPLymH
Native Harvest Catering is owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Visit NativeHarvestCatering.com to learn more about the innovative catering company.
Building a Better Future for Our Neighbors
In 2022, the SMSC partnered with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity to assist in the building of the Towering Woods Townhomes project in Prior Lake. At more than 1,800 staffed volunteer hours and counting, the project is already the largest charitable undertaking in SMSC history with a new phase of building set for April 2025.
Read about the SMSC’s efforts in Wiċoṡkaŋ: The Magazine of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community at tinyurl.com/bdzb8uf9 and sign up to help at tchabitat.org/volunteer.
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to Host Third Annual Dakota Language Bowl
It’s that time again to gather a team and brush up on your Dakota language skills. The third annual SMSC Dak̇ota Iapi Akiċiyapi (Dakota Language Bowl) is back at Hoċokata Ṫi on April 25. This exciting event will once again feature friendly competition, great prizes, and an opportunity for Dakota speakers of all levels to come together and celebrate the language.
During the competition, teams will be asked to showcase their knowledge of the Dakota language through a variety of challenges, including quizzes, speaking, and singing.
All are welcome to participate and attend the language bowl. Teams that register by April 8 will receive a free T-shirt. Same-day registration is also available. Breakfast and lunch will be served to all participants. More information is available at hocokatati.org/events/dakota-language-bowl.