Prior Lake, Minn. – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community today announced a $500,000 grant to the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe of South Dakota for economic development and community improvement projects. This grant is part of the SMSC’s most recent round of more than $10 million in grants awarded to 18 American Indian tribes in eight states.

Specifically, the grant to the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe will fund:

$250,000 for a summer training employment program
$120,000 for a Boys and Girls Club
$70,000 for Sung Maka Ska
$18,000 for a veterans’ memorial
$16,000 for research into a new gaming facility at Oacoma
$16,000 for an after-school employment program
$10,000 for a convenience store feasibility study

“The people of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe admire the Shakopee Business Council for their commitment to the economic development and survival of the Great Sioux Nation,” wrote Michael B. Jandreau, Chairman of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, in the request letter. “Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity you are giving this tribe.”

Over the past four years, the SMSC funded $4.5 million in grants for Lower Brule projects, including economic development and community improvement projects, Lakota Foods, the West Brule Recreational Youth Center, the ambulance program, and a new convenience store in West Brule. The SMSC also gave the tribe a $1 million bridge loan in fiscal year 2012.

The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe – also known as the Kul Wicasa Oyate – is part of the Oceti Sakowin, the Seven Council Fires of the Dakota Nation. The tribe’s reservation is located along the Missouri River in central South Dakota on the Native American Scenic Byway, approximately 60 miles southeast of Pierre. The reservation population is 2,600 on 221,646 acres in Lyman and Stanley counties. The Lower Brule owns and operates the Golden Buffalo Casino and Motel, which employs 50 people. In addition to featuring 175 slot machines and two table games, casino facilities include a conference center, dance floor, restaurant, and 38-room motel.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. With a focus on being a good neighbor, good steward of the earth, and good employer, the SMSC is committed to community partnerships, charitable donations, a healthy environment, and a strong economy. The SMSC and the SMSC Gaming Enterprise (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and Little Six Casino) are the largest employer in Scott County. Out of a Dakota tradition to help others, the SMSC has also donated nearly $272 million since 1992, including more than $152 million to other tribes, tribal organizations, and American Indian causes.