Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Donates $28 Million

The donated $28.7 million to Indian tribes, education and youth programs, and charitable organizations during fiscal year 2011, which ran from October 1, 2010, through September 30, 2011, according to a news release from SMSC last week.

“As Dakota people, we have a long tradition of sharing with others so it is important for us to give back to the larger community. Before Indian gaming, many of us lived in poverty and struggled to survive. Times were hard. Now we are able to help others,” said SMSC Chairman Stanley R. Crooks. 

Over the past 16 years, the SMSC has donated more than $229.3 million to Indian Tribes, charitable organizations, schools, and Native American organizations.

The donation report details economic development and other grants to 20 tribal nations, totaling $16.1 million. Fourteen tribes, including three in Minnesota, each received a $1 million tribal grant. 

The SMSC donated $2.8 million to 40 Native American organizations for projects ranging from housing, mental health and chemical dependency programs, to women’s shelters, food shelves, legal assistance, providing winter coats, medical research, public television, and capital construction. 

They also gave out more than $1.3 million in donations for education and youth programs. Another $1.2 million was donated to 65 charitable organizations. The SMSC sponsored 53 cultural events including Pow Wows throughout Indian Country. 

The 2011 Donation Report is available at http://www.shakopeedakota.org/donations.html.