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Shakopee Tribe Awards Nearly $3 Million in Grants to Tribes and Native Causes Across the Country

Prior Lake, Minn. – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) announced today a package of donations totaling nearly $3 million for Native American tribes and organizations.

Located in Minnesota and seven other states, the 15 recipients are receiving grants for projects related to emergency services, education, nutrition, development, transportation, and more. They include:

• Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (SD) – The tribe is receiving a $150,000 grant, the majority of which will help create office space for a new radio station.
• Eastern Shoshone Tribe (WY) – The tribe is receiving a $180,000 grant for shuttle buses and driver training.
• Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe (SD) – A $435,000 grant will help the tribe purchase dental equipment for its tribal health clinic.
• Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas – A $150,000 grant will help the tribe purchase three police patrol cars.
• Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (MN) – The tribe is receiving a $75,000 grant for a playground project.
• Ponca Tribe of Nebraska – A $500,000 grant will support the tribe’s health and wellness center construction project.
• Rosebud Sioux Tribe (SD) – The tribe is receiving a $75,000 grant for its Rosebud Economic Development Corporation community garden and farmers market.
• Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe (WA) – The tribe is receiving a $75,000 grant to equip and furnish its community library and gift shop.
• Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (ND) – A $40,000 grant will support the tribe’s Nutrition for the Elderly program.
• Yankton Sioux Tribe (SD) – The tribe is receiving a $25,000 matching grant for a storage building to support its buffalo program (based on receiving an equal or greater donation[s]).
• Blackfeet Community College (MT) – The tribal college is receiving a $200,000 grant for a new health science education building.
• Native American Rights Fund – The nationally recognized nonprofit law firm, which provides legal assistance to Native American tribes, organizations and individuals, is receiving $200,000 for legal program support.
• Northwest Indian College Foundation – The tribal college, with seven locations in Washington and Idaho, is receiving a $100,000 grant for its capital campaign.
• Thunder Valley Community Development Corp. (SD) – The nonprofit organization is receiving a $100,000 grant for the construction of an apartment building, and an additional $500,000 grant toward the construction for fiscal year 2018. The building is a part of the nonprofit’s 34-acre development on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
• Tiwahe Foundation (MN) – The American Indian-led community foundation is receiving a $100,000 grant for its Seventh Generation Endowment Campaign. The Tiwahe Foundation works to renew and build capacity in Native communities.

“The Dakota people have a long-standing tradition of ‘wo’okiye,’ or helpfulness, and one of the ways the SMSC honors that tradition is through philanthropy,” said SMSC Chairman Charles R. Vig. “We are glad to support other tribes and Native organizations that are taking important steps to improve their communities and the lives of Native Americans across the country.”

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

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Following a Dakota tradition of generosity, the SMSC is one of the top 10 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.