Reznet

Shakopee Mdewakanton Give $4 Million to S.D. Tribes

By Tessa Lehto

PRIOR LAKE, Minn.—The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community announces grants totaling $4 million to four Indian nations in South Dakota. One million dollar grants will go to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate and the Yankton Sioux Tribe.

The $1 million grant to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe will fund economic development and community improvements, including funds for after-school programs at Takini School, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School, Tiospaye Topa School and the Dupree School. These schools serve approximately 4,000 students grades kindergarten through 12th.

Funds will also be used to process and market buffalo meat and beef. An achievement center for elderly and youth education, workforce development and technology education for all ages are other projects which will be funded. Additional security measures, technology upgrades, a constitutional review, certified public accountant services and the Tribal Planning Department will also be funded.

The $1 million grant to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe helped fund a tribal grocery store in the town of Mission. The new grocery store, scheduled to open in mid-February, has a deli, bakery, pharmacy and, most importantly, healthy foods to help combat the diabetes epidemic on the reservation. About 80 jobs have been created with the store opening.

A $1 million grant to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate will fund two district centers for the Old Agency and Big Coulee District communities on the Lake Traverse Reservation. The new buildings will replace existing district center buildings, constructed in the early 1970s which are in need of repair and are too small to accommodate the meeting and gathering space needs of the local communities. These buildings are also used for after school programs, a summer meal and recreational program, religious services, and wake and funeral services.

The $1 million grant to the Yankton Sioux Tribe will fund a community center at Lake Andes, S.D. The two-level building will house an activity hall for wakes, ceremonies, meetings and community sporting activities, an indoor basketball court with bleachers, an indoor walking and jogging track, locker rooms, restrooms, a weight and exercise room, an office and a kitchen. Other major areas are for tribal elders and a community shelter for families at risk. The community center will also house a local Boys & Girls Club.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community: The SMSC utilizes its financial resources from gaming and non-gaming enterprises to pay for all of the internal infrastructure of the tribe, including but not limited to roads, water and sewer systems, emergency services and essential services to its tribal members in education, health, and welfare. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has a charitable giving program which comes from a cultural and social tradition to assist those in need. Over the past 11 years the SMSC has donated more than $132.5 million to charitable organizations and Indian tribes. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, a federally recognized Indian Tribe in Minnesota, is the owner and operator of Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Little Six Casino, Playworks, Dakotah! Sport and Fitness, The Meadows at Mystic Lake, and other enterprises on a reservation south of the Twin Cities.

Tessa Lehto is the communications specialist for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Prior Lake, Minn.