SMSC Stories

SMSC Members Attend Historic Veterans Memorial Dedication in Washington, D.C.



This past Veterans Day, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Members joined hundreds of Native American veterans in Washington, D.C., for a historic memorial dedication honoring the sacrifices of Indigenous people who served in the U.S. armed forces. On a rainy and humid day, attendees gathered for a ceremony recognizing the Native American Veterans Memorial, located on the grounds of the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI).

Since the Revolutionary War, Native Americans have served in every major U.S. military conflict, typically at one of the highest rates per capita of any ethnic group. Now, these veterans are acknowledged for their service on a national level.

The Native American Veterans Memorial opened on the grounds of the NMAI in 2020 and aims to educate millions of annual visitors about the remarkable contributions of Native American people. The impressive memorial has been in the works for decades. In 1994, U.S. Congress passed the Native American Veterans’ Memorial Establishment Act which authorized the NMAI to create a memorial. In 2013, the law was amended to allow the memorial to be placed on the grounds of the museum.

The memorial was created and installed thanks to the generous donations from individuals, organizations, and tribes who sponsored the project, including the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

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Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

2330 Sioux Trail NW
Prior Lake, MN 55372
952.445.8900
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