History | The Reservation | Tribal Government | Tribal Sovereignty | Land Issues
Infrastructure | Good Neighbor | Charitable Giving | Economic Impact

Where did the name Shakopee come from?
The word Sakpe [shock-pay] is a Dakota word meaning the number six. It refers to a historic Dakota leader, Chief Sakpe, leader of a village that was located along the river where the modern city of Shakopee now exists. Tribal members are descendants of the Dakota who lived in this area before European settlers arrived.

What was life like in the twentieth century for the Shakopee Mdewakanton before Indian gaming?
Life was difficult, with few jobs and limited prospects. Before Indian Gaming came to Minnesota the roads leading to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community were dirt or gravel. There were few houses, few wells for water, and few resources for Community members. Health and dental care were insufficient as were educational and housing opportunities. Jobs were scarce, and SMSC members faced economic hardship.

How did the SMSC become so successful?
Many different economic development initiatives were tried before SMSC Chairman Norman Crooks suggested bringing Indian Gaming to Minnesota in 1982. With support from the General Council, the SMSC began the process of bringing high stakes bingo to the SMSC. Community members worked very hard in the early days to set up the Bingo Hall, working many long hours and late into the night to get everything ready for opening day. Suddenly there were jobs, with Community members working in all areas of the bingo operation as security guards, maintenance staff, and in every position throughout the facility. Community members continue guiding the gaming enterprise, serving on the Gaming Enterprise Board of Directors and through the actions of the General Council.

With the advent of Indian Gaming, this new source of economic opportunity brought many changes to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Tribal Government services expanded, and opportunities for the tribe and its members increased. Jobs were available for anyone who wanted a job.

During the 1990s, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community continued its transformation from an economically distressed reservation to one of the most economically successful Indian tribes in the United States. In this new era of self-sufficiency, the Community was able to use its inherent sovereign rights and growing economy to purchase additional lands and to radically improve its economic base. In 1992 Mystic Lake Casino was unveiled, and the impact was incredible. The SMSC was able to provide a new level of service and infrastructure to Community members with increased health and dental services, childcare, educational opportunities, and more.

<< top >>

Where is the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community located?
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is located approximately 25 miles south of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. It lies within the geographic borders of Scott County and portions of the Community are in both the cities of Shakopee and Prior Lake.

How big is the reservation?
As of November 1, 2007, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community owns 2,915.77 acres of land.

<< top >>

What form of government does the SMSC have?
The governing body of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is the General Council, which is composed of all enrolled members of the Tribe ages 18 and older qualified to vote in Community elections. The General Council delegates powers to the Business Council. The General Council elects a three-member Business Council every four years, as is mandated by the Tribal Constitution to carry out the day-to-day operations of the Community.

The General Council elects the Gaming Commission and the Gaming Enterprise Board of Directors. General Council members also serve on committees to oversee various aspects of Community life such as Enrollment and Education.

All members of the General Council are accorded equal opportunities to participate in the economic resources and activities of the Community.

What does the Business Council do?
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Business Council is responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the Tribe and for implementing the decisions of the General Council. The Business Council also oversees the employment of approximately 4,100 employees at the government center, and at the gaming and non-gaming enterprises owned and operated by the SMSC.

The Business Council is elected by voting members of the General Council. The three member Business Council consists of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary/Treasurer elected to four-year terms. The main governing function of the Business Council is to promote the health, education, and welfare of Community members and their families now and for generations to come.

The current Business Council, Chairman Stanley R. Crooks, Vice-Chairman Glynn A. Crooks, and Secretary/Treasurer Keith B. Anderson, were re-elected to consecutive four-year terms in a December, 2007 election. All three Business Council members were sworn in to office at an Inaugural Ceremony that took place on January 31, 2008.

What is the name of the Shakopee Tribe?
The official name is the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community but the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community is also acceptable. For a second reference the SMSC, the Community, or the Shakopee Tribe can be used. The SMSC is not a band, so it is inaccurate in modern context to refer to it as one. (That term is generally used in Minnesota to refer to Ojibwe or Chippewa tribes.) Since there are several Mdewakanton communities in Minnesota, it is essential in referring to the SMSC to distinguish which community by using the word "Shakopee" and not use simply Mdewakanton Community or Tribe.

<< top >>

What is tribal sovereignty and what does it mean?
Long before there was a United States of America, Tribes governed themselves, provided for their people, and negotiated with other nations. When Tribes signed treaties with the U.S., they were guaranteed the right to continue governing themselves; this is called sovereignty.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community conducts a number of activities to support and encourage Tribal Sovereignty.

• Enacts various laws asserting tribal authority over the internal affairs of the SMSC, such as the Consolidated Land Management Ordinance.
• Negotiates numerous intergovernmental agreements in which the SMSC's authority to govern and regulate various activities is recognized.
• Is proactive in having its land placed into trust status whereby the SMSC will be able to regulate land use and all activities on those lands.
• Strongly asserts its legal interests in lawsuits that were filed in attempts to diminish the Tribe's sovereignty. The Tribe prevailed in the St. Pierre vs. Kempthorne lawsuit so that the Tribe's adoption ordinance was upheld.
• Initiates numerous construction projects for essential infrastructure bringing the SMSC closer to being self-sufficient such as improvements to the water system, the Water Reclamation Facility, and Koda Energy.

<< top >>

Why does it matter if land is put into trust or not?
To sustain the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community for generations to come, land is needed for housing, cultural purposes, educational services, and government offices.

Land held in trust by the United States government is protected from being taken, sold, or otherwise lost. The history of Indian lands is a history of lost lands. Since millions of acres of tribal land were lost through unscrupulous dealings largely by government entities, non-Indian settlers, and opportunistic traders, the promise to hold land in trust protecting the land in perpetuity is especially important to Indian people. Only 830 acres of 2,915 acres held by the SMSC are currently in trust. Taking land into trust, to be protected under the responsibility of the United States government, provides a level of protection from future loss that is very effective. It guarantees that the Tribe will not lose the land by theft, swindle, their own mistake, or by the acts of unscrupulous local governments. Trust status allows the SMSC to fulfill the policy of self-determination and be responsible for its own lands.

What standards does the SMSC have when it comes to zoning, building, or development of its lands?
Over 16 years ago the SMSC General Council adopted the first Tribal Building Code in the country. It was updated in March 2003 to adopt international building standards, including the International Residential Code, International Building Code, mechanical codes, and fire codes. The Minnesota State Building Code was adopted by reference. The Uniform Building Code is used as a reference for existing structures.

The SMSC is the first Tribe in the state to have its own building code and inspection program and in fact one of the few nationwide that have its own adopted code and program. The SMSC also established a Fire Code, a Zoning Code, and erosion control requirements, which are enforced on the reservation. These standards ensure high quality residential and commercial construction that provides a safe and comfortable environment for our members and guests. SMSC inspectors hold certification by the State of Minnesota and the International Code Council as building officials and plan examiners. The building inspectors enforce building codes; problem solve in a variety of areas including site development and erosion control; issue building, mechanical, plumbing, and land use permits; and assign addresses and administer a database of addresses. They monitor and maintain exiting strategies for all buildings to make sure there are enough doorways and exits and that escape corridors are fire protected. They monitor the initial installation of fire protection systems, do plan review on sprinkler systems, and check them periodically, working in conjunction with the SMSC Director of Emergency Services on fire and public life safety issues.

The SMSC's Zoning Code delineates which areas of the reservation can be used for specific purposes. The General Council as part of the Consolidated Land Management Ordinance adopted this code.

What is the SMSC doing to lessen its impact on the environment?
The Dakota way is to plan for the Seventh Generation, to make sure that resources will be available in the future to sustain life for seven generations to come. Conserving and protecting the earth today ensures that there will be food, trees, natural areas, traditional wild foods and medicines, cultural resources, and open spaces in the environment for coming generations to not only survive but also to thrive. A staff of biologists, water resource specialists, technicians, managers, and others in the Land and Natural Resources, Public Works, and Cultural Resources Departments fulfill that mission.

• Koda Energy - The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has entered into a partnership with Rahr Malting of Shakopee for an innovative venture to generate electricity using leftover agricultural materials. Considerably cleaner than a coal plant, this biomass energy generation project will someday be able to provide energy for all Community needs with excess available to sell to others. The plant will be operational in 2008.
• Natural Foods - The Community maintains the habitat for wild foods, which are found on the reservation. Morel mushrooms, puffball mushrooms, blackberries, raspberries, chokecherries, wild plums, currants, and cattails grow abundantly. Plum trees and chokeberry bushes, cultivated species of two traditional Dakota foods, have also been planted in areas of the Community. More than 1,700 pounds of wild rice has been hand sown in Community wetlands for food, for cultural purposes, and as a food supply for wildlife. The SMSC makes maple syrup using sap harvested from Community trees.
• Tribal Honey Program - More than 1.5 million honeybees in the 30 hives maintained by the SMSC produced nearly 250 gallons of excess honey each summer. Honey is available commercially at various locations.
• SMSC Restores Native Prairie, Preserves Habitats - The SMSC engages in restoration activities, which include the re-establishing of native prairies on Community land. More than 100 acres of former farmland has been reclaimed over the past few years. Prairies filter phosphorous and nitrogen from the soil, reduce or eliminate erosion, provide habitat for nesting birds, increase species diversity, and add an unmatched aesthetic value.
• Prescribed Burns Rejuvenate Prairie - Each year SMSC Land and Natural Resources Department, Mdewakanton Emergency Services, and Bureau of Indian Affairs fire personnel conduct several prescribed burns on Community lands. A prescribed burn is an intentionally lit, low intensity fire used by land managers to replicate natural fires. Prescribed burns benefit natural communities by removing dead plant materials, adding nutrients to the soil, releasing native seed banks, and killing non-native species.
• Surveying Flora and Fauna - For the past five years SMSC biologists have gathered data for a Faunal Atlas of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which is in the process of being written. The volume will contain illustrations and descriptions of birds and animals, which make their home on Community lands. Staff have conducted surveys to monitor the breeding birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles yielding valuable information for staff biologists. Six different types of frogs; 107 types of breeding birds; and 31 species of breeding mammals including field mice, shrews, meadow voles, opossums, squirrels, raccoons, deer, woodchucks, minks, ermines, muskrats, beavers, badgers, white-tailed jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, and skunks call the Community home. Staff also erect and monitor bluebird and duck houses. Research is underway for a Floral Atlas of Community lands.
• Water Quality - Hydrologists assess water quality and levels in representative water bodies across the reservation. They implement the Community's Wellhead Protection Program to protect the area around the three Community public water supply wells and employ erosion control efforts to keep sediment from entering tribal water bodies. They review both residential and commercial plans, inspect sites, and review site development permit applications. Hydrologists maintain a weather station to collect atmospheric data. At seven sites across the reservation shallow aquifer monitoring gathers information to determine what proportion of the water in wetlands, streams, and lakes is contributed by ground water. Bioretention areas, also called rain gardens, are built to collect and infiltrate rainwater that falls on impervious surfaces, like parking lots and streets. A Water Resource Management Plan for the SMSC has been developed to maintain and improve the condition of the natural resources of the SMSC.
• Educational Activities - SMSC Land and Natural Resources Department staff conduct a number of educational activities throughout the year including a weeklong celebration of Earth Day, trash pick ups, and a salt and fertilizer use program. A project with Playworks Summer Camp involved a number of different experiments with water quality sampling equipment and included bug collection and flow monitoring for six weeks over the summer. Children in the SMSC Education Department learn about maple syrup and honey harvesting and production. As part of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention efforts, the department holds public meetings.
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - As a steward of the earth, the Community encourages the reduction, reuse, and recycling of materials to lessen solid waste in landfills and has produced a booklet on the subject. The Recycling and Waste Disposal Guide is filled with information about recycling, reducing, reusing, and safely disposing of hazardous waste and household materials. Community enterprises collect paper, glass, boxes, newspapers, plastic containers, aluminum cans, and other items for recycling. A compost site has been built to turn small piles of brush, lawn clippings, yard and landscaping waste, Christmas trees, mulch, and dead potted plants into compost and eventually, over time, into soil. Annual Spring and Fall Clean Up Weeks held by the SMSC Public Works Department help Community members dispose of unwanted items like home and yard hazardous materials, small piles of brush, appliances, and tires.
• Water Reclamation Facility - The SMSC operates the most advanced Water Reclamation Facility in the State of Minnesota. The WRF treats wastewater using a combination of advanced "ultra-filtration" European technologies to drinking water standards. The sludge from the filtration process is dried using a biosolids process that is the first of its kind in the United States creates a product usable as fertilizer on lands within the Community. The WRF features a 31,000-square-foot green roof, the largest in the Upper Midwest, which contains more than 45,000 seedlings along with seeds for native prairie grasses and flowers.
• Green Initiatives - The SMSC began construction on two "green" projects in the fall of 2007: an addition to the fire station which will utilize daylight harvesting, skylights, and solar panels and a second sheet of ice at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness, which will have a 30,000 square foot green roof and skylights. A wind turbine is also on order for energy generation on the reservation.

<< top >>

Who pays for the SMSC infrastructure, including roads and other services?
While the SMSC is not legally required to pay for improvements to the system of roads and highways that lead to its reservation, it has a history and practice of paying for road construction near and through the reservation. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community 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; power lines; parks; water and wastewater treatment; storm water management; wellhead protection; zoning; building code enforcement; fire protection; ambulance service; police protection; and essential services in education, health, and welfare.

<< top >>

Does the SMSC work with other governments?
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has worked diligently with local governments to provide services to our members by establishing intergovernmental agreements with various governmental entities, which include the City of Prior Lake, the City of Shakopee, Scott County, Metropolitan Council, and the State of Minnesota. The SMSC has made more than 65 agreements with government entities since 1984.

How is the SMSC a good neighbor?
To the Shakopee Mdewakanton, being a good neighbor is an extension of the cultural tradition of being a good relative. The Dakota people believe that all living beings are relatives and should be treated not only with dignity and respect, but also helped in their day-to-day lives. The common expression Mitakuye Owasin, "We Are All Related," is often used to end prayers and ceremonies. The SMSC is grateful for the opportunity to not only provide significant financial assistance to other Tribes and charitable organizations through a charitable giving program but also to contribute to its neighbors in many other ways:

• The SMSC makes voluntary annual payments to cover the cost of services provided by local jurisdictions. Over the last ten years the SMSC has made total inter-governmental payments of $14.4 million to Scott County and other jurisdictions, with $2.5 million paid in 2006.
• The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is proud to be an active member of the Scott County Association for Leadership and Efficiency (SCALE). Representatives from 28 local governments including the SMSC, Scott County, local townships, school districts, and cities in Scott County make up SCALE, which meets monthly to discuss ways to collaborate and share resources and services. The primary purpose of the Association is to encourage greater efficiencies and leadership in public service through enhanced communication, collaboration of services, and sharing of resources.
• The SMSC and the City of Prior Lake have a unique agreement to share equipment for improving roads as part of the asphalt maintenance programs for streets and pavements. Sewer equipment is also shared. Both entities have purchased equipment and share their use as needed. The two departments have also interconnected their water mains for use during an emergency.
• Along with the City of Prior Lake, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community co-sponsors the Dakotah! Sport and Fitness Lakefront Days Triathlon. The event is held each August as part of a week of fun that included activities, competitions, shows, food, music and much more, during Prior Lake's annual Lakefront Days celebration.
• The SMSC's library has over 7,000 items in its collection, which is mostly dedicated to Native American materials. The collection includes books on the Dakota, history, biography, geography, government, sociology, anthropology, religion, science, health, literature (fiction, poetry, drama, and journals), art, music, dance, arts and crafts, and education (includes curricula). There is also a juvenile section and an extensive audio/video section. Indian newspapers and magazines are also available. The library is open to researchers and educators by appointment only.
• The SMSC Gaming Enterprise donates thousands of dollars in certificates for free meals and hotel stays for area fundraisers, including organizations raising funds for individuals suffering from medical crises. The SMSC also donates videos, golf and bingo packages, car wash coupons, and health club memberships in addition to playing cards for troops serving in Iraq and the Middle East and for nursing home residents.
• Mdewakanton Emergency Services, a full-time, professional fire department staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. The department responds to an average of 200 calls a month. In October 2004 Mdewakanton Fire added ambulance service and now makes an average of 60 ambulance transports a month. The department has mutual aid agreements with all the departments in Scott County and responds to an average of 20 mutual aid calls each month.
• The Mdewakanton Emergency Services Department administers the Mdewakanton LIFE program, which donates free Automated External Defibrillators to charitable organizations and schools. More than 300 AEDs have been given away over the past few years, including 199 to the Minnesota State Patrol.

<< top >>

Charitable Giving Does the SMSC give any money away to charity or other Indian Tribes?
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 several years the SMSC has donated more than $115 million to charitable organizations and Indian Tribes, including more than $19 million already in fiscal year 2008.

Helping others is a cultural value of maximum importance to the Dakota. The seventeenth top Minnesota grantmaker in 2005, the SMSC doubled their giving from $10.2 million in 2004 to $21 million in 2007. If considered a foundation, the SMSC would be among the top five in the state. If considered a corporate giver, the SMSC would be one of the top 10 corporate givers in the state.

How do I apply for a donation?
Representatives of charitable organizations, schools, and Indian Tribes can submit a letter of request with all pertinent details (five pages or less) and contact information to SMSC Donations, 2330 Sioux Trail NW, Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372. [Click here for a direct link to the Donations page.]

Does the SMSC get a tax break for giving charitable donations?
The SMSC does not get any tax break or credit for charitable donations. The SMSC charitable giving program is part of the Dakota cultural legacy passed down for generations to help out those in need.

Does the SMSC provide small business loans or grants?
No.

<< top >>

Does the Tribe pay taxes?
As a government, the SMSC uses income from its enterprises to provide services and infrastructure to Community members and their families and to fund SMSC government operations.

Federal taxes paid by SMSC employees are more than $22.5 million, and state taxes are more than $5.5 million annually. The SMSC pays a matching 7.65% Social Security/FICA and Medicare tax.

The SMSC pays $300,000 - $400,000 a year in property taxes on 2,100 acres of land it owns in fee status in Scott County. Under an agreement with the State of Minnesota, the SMSC collects sales tax from all the enterprises, half of which is remitted to the state. The SMSC also pays excise taxes on cigarettes, fuel, and liquor. Tribal members pay federal income tax on per capita payments totaling millions.

All together the SMSC pays millions of dollars in taxes each year.

What economic impact does the SMSC have on the surrounding area?
More than $100 million is pumped into the area's economy each year as a result of the SMSC's successful enterprises. As the largest employer in the county, the SMSC is a powerful economic force. The SMSC payroll annually is nearly $152 million. Federal taxes paid by SMSC employees are more than $22.5 million, and state taxes are more than $5.5 million annually. The SMSC paid $5.8 million to vendors within Scott County in 2007. The SMSC paid $82 million to all vendors in 2007. The SMSC has spent $225 million on construction projects since 2004. The SMSC annual payroll to Scott County residents is nearly $60 million.

How many employees does the SMSC have?
As of December 2007, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community employed 4,321 employees at its gaming and non-gaming enterprises, and for the tribal government.

What benefits does the SMSC provide to its employees?
The SMSC provides health benefits on the reservation for its members and employees including access to a health clinic, a dental clinic, physical therapy and chiropractic care and a pharmacy. A vision clinic will open in 2008. Other benefits include sick leave, vacation pay, holidays, health and life insurance, discounted memberships at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness, a retirement plan, a Flexible Health Spending Plan, up to $5,000 per year in childcare expenses at Playworks, tuition reimbursement, discounted prices on gasoline, diesel fuel and E85 at the Shakopee Dakota Convenience Stores, and meal discounts at the Tipi Restaurant and the All Star Café.

What enterprises does the SMSC have?
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community owns and operates these enterprises: Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Little Six Casino, the Mystic Lake Store at the Mall of America, The Meadows at Mystic Lake, the Shakopee Dakota Convenience Stores (#1 and #2), Dakotah! Sport and Fitness, Playworks, Playworks LINK Event Center, Dakota Mall, Dakotah Meadows Mini Storage, and Dakotah Meadows RV Park.

What does the SMSC do to continue its cultural traditions?
To honor our ancestors and continue our Dakota traditions, the Community engages in a variety of cultural activities. Each August the SMSC holds a three-day Wacipi (Pow Wow) on the reservation, which celebrates Native American culture with song and dance. Dancers of all ages from tribes around the country come to compete for thousands of dollars in prize money. The day before the Wacipi, the SMSC holds a dance exhibition in the Rotunda at the Mall of America with dancers, drum groups, and a Master of Ceremony who educates the crowd about the dance styles.

A drum group, comprised primarily of youth, sings at Community events. The Community works to preserve cultural sites, including Shakopee Memorial Park, which contains Mdewakanton burial mounds. Children and adults are learning the Dakota language, song, and dance. Each year Community youth celebrate Dakota heritage with Young Native Pride, a free event open to the public, which celebrates Native American culture, traditions, and spirituality through song and dance. Students and their family members and staff work toward the performance for months making outfits, doing beadwork, sewing designs, cutting ribbon, making moccasins, and practicing dance styles.

A cultural center is planned to display many of the thousands of items in the Community archival collection. In the meantime, cultural galleries, which display Dakota pieces in the lobbies of the SMSC Community Center, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, and the Mystic Lake Store at the Mall of America, rotate several times a year.

<< top >>