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Shakopee Tribe Donates More Than $4 Million to Tribes and Charitable Causes Across the Country

Prior Lake, Minn. – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) announced today more than $4 million in donations to a local charitable organization and 16 tribes across the country.

The donations will support a variety of projects, including tribal housing repairs, a health clinic expansion, new emergency service equipment, and an early childhood education facility. Specific recipients include:

  • American Red Cross Twin Cities (MN) – $75,000 matching grant for an emergency response vehicle
  • Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa (WI) – $250,000 grant for its Head Start program facility, as well as an additional $250,000 pledged for the next fiscal year
  • Blackfeet Nation (MT) – $200,000 for its Starlink Broadband project
  • Coquille Indian Tribe (OR) – $50,000 grant for its health clinic expansion
  • Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma (OK) – $50,000 grant for tribal scholarships to N2N University
  • Eastern Shoshone Tribe (WY) – $400,000 grant for a banquet kitchen, sign, and training for casino employees
  • Lower Brule Sioux Tribe (SD) – $100,000 for servers and phone system upgrades
  • Nisqually Indian Tribe (WA) – $250,000 matching grant to help purchase dental equipment
  • Northern Arapaho Tribe (WY) – $200,000 grant for NATI Broadband services, pending a resolution
  • Oglala Sioux Tribe (SD) – $30,000 grant to fund vehicles for its Child Protection Services program
  • Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (WI) – $500,000 grant for marina dock repairs and casino upgrades
  • Santee Sioux Nation (NE) –$500,000 grant for several community projects, including its Buffalo program, youth development, and renovations to Pow Wow grounds
  • Spirit Lake Nation (ND) – $240,000 grant to fund community infrastructure improvements
  • Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (ND) – $250,000 grant to benefit the Kay Murphy Cancer Fund, tribal housing repairs, and casino operations consulting
  • Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians (ND) – $250,000 for fire equipment, wood stoves, handicap ramps, and ambulance and dialysis expansion
  • Upper Sioux Community (MN) – $300,000 grant for its wastewater treatment plant
  • Yankton Sioux Tribe (SD) – $350,000 grant for the tribe’s food services building and casino

“Sharing our resources is an important value in our Dakota culture,” said SMSC Chairman Charles R. Vig. “We’re proud to honor this tradition by supporting the meaningful work being done in these tribal communities and nonprofits.”

The SMSC has donated more than $350 million to organizations and causes in the past 25 years and is the single-largest philanthropic benefactor for Indian Country nationally.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Native American tribe 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 Native American tribes 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.

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Learn More About the SMSC

Read about our people or visit our frequently asked questions for additional information about the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

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Sara Swenson
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