Shakopee Mdewakanton Donates More Than $2 Million to Tribes & Nonprofits in Minnesota and Across the Country

Published April 12, 2019

PRIOR LAKE, Minn. — The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) today announced more than $2 million in grants to 12 tribes and nonprofit organizations in Minnesota and across the United States.

The SMSC’s donations will help fund several projects, including building a new community space for Native artists and cultural practitioners, expanding an early childhood learning center, and supporting business development for tribal gaming enterprises.

Shakopee Mdewakatan Chairman Charles Vig

“Each of these projects seeks to help Native communities thrive economically, socially or culturally,” said SMSC Chairman Charles R. Vig. “Our tribe is proud to share our resources and help these tribes and nonprofits in their important work.”

Recipients include:

• Bad River American Legion Post 25 (WI) – $150,000 toward the purchase of a permanent office location.
• Blackfeet Nation (MT) – $250,000 to fund the construction of a convenience store and gas station.
• Delaware Nation (OK) – $300,000 toward the construction of a new early childhood learning center.
• Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma (OK) – $250,000 toward the expansions of the Eastern Shawnee Early Child Learning Center and Wellness Center.
• Eastern Shoshone Tribe (WY) – $300,000 toward operational support for the Shoshone Rose Casino.
• First Peoples Fund (SD) – $200,000 toward the Oglala Lakota Artspace capital campaign.
• Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs (NE) – $50,000 toward the new Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Center, including helping to replace the roof and preserve historic artifacts.
• New Mexico Community Capital (NM) – $50,000 toward the Native Entrepreneur in Residence program to help it fulfill match requirements associated with two federal government awards.
• Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (WI) – $332,000 for capital improvements and program-related support for the Legendary Waters Resort & Casino.
• Rural America Initiatives (SD) – $100,000 toward the construction of a greenhouse, community garden, playground fencing and landscaping at its new Head Start facility.
• Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska (KS) – $17,000 toward upgraded computers and systems for its new tribal operations building.
• White Earth Nation (MN) – $500,000 to remodel and expand the Pine Point Community Center, as well as replace furnaces on the reservation.

Guided by the Dakota tradition of helping others, the SMSC has donated more than $350 million to organizations and causes in the past 25 years. The tribe is the single-largest philanthropic benefactor for Indian Country nationally.