Since gaining federal recognition in 1969, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) has elected tribal members to oversee the day-to-day operations of the tribe and implement the direction voted upon by tribal membership. The three-member Business Council is charged with promoting the health, education, and welfare of SMSC members and their families now and for generations to come. Elected in January 2024, the SMSC’s current members of Business Council possess different life stories, work experiences, and personalities, but they are unified by a shared passion for protecting the tribe’s sovereignty and building a brighter future for their Community.

Check out the Q&A in the inaugural issue of Wiċoṡkaŋ and learn about the leaders shaping the SMSC’s future and their vision for strengthening the tribe.