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).
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.
Good Fire: An Environmental and Cultural Practice
As the SMSC prepares for prescribed burns this spring, learn about the ecological and cultural significance of the practice from SMSC Manager of Natural Resources Ferin Davis Anderson, co-author of the book Wildfire: The Culture, Science, and Future of Fire.
Read the latest from Wiċoṡkaŋ: The Magazine of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community at tinyurl.com/2ts72bk9.
Echoes of the Past
A partnership between the SMSC and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian resulted in a historic instrument being returned to Dakota homelands for the first time in a century.
Read about the SMSC’s efforts to breathe new life into a rare exhibit piece in the debut issue of Wiċoṡkaŋ: tinyurl.com/bdz5seh4.
Get to Know the SMSC Business Council
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.