Prior Lake, Minnesota - The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community today released its annual Donation Report; the 36-page report details $26,051,471 in charitable giving made by the Community in fiscal year 2007 to Indian tribes, education and youth programs, and charitable organizations. The fiscal year ran from October 1, 2006, through September 30, 2007.

“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 10 fiscal years the SMSC donated more than $101 million to charitable organizations and Indian Tribes.

The Donation Report details economic development and other grants to 19 Tribal nations, five located in Minnesota which received $1 million each. Nine other tribes in Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota received a donation of $1 million each. Grants funded a walleye fishery, elderly housing youth facilities, tribal infrastructure, a community center, economic development, and other projects.

The SMSC gave out $3,077,240 to Native American and charitable organizations for projects ranging from an Embassy of Tribal Nations, mental health and chemical dependency programs, women’s shelters, food shelves, medical research, public television, to capital construction.

Because Native people are mindful of the seven generations coming after them, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community gave out more than $1,456,018 in donations for education and youth programs. To help keep young people safe, the SMSC supported alcohol and chemical-free graduation celebrations at 18 local high schools. The SMSC donated funds for winter wear, school supplies, scholarships, and activities for students at several schools.

To support and encourage traditional cultural values, the SMSC sponsored 60 cultural events and Pow Wows throughout Indian Country. The SMSC made donations to Pow Wows in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and elsewhere.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community sponsored a number of health care initiatives which it funds each year in addition to charitable giving. In fiscal year 2007 the SMSC sponsored a free health care conference for Native Americans living with chronic illness. The conference addressed topics like causes of diseases, treatment, nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, and a return to traditional spiritual values and lifestyles.

Since one third of all people will need blood in their lifetime, the SMSC also sponsors three annual blood drives. Health screening events are another initiative which provide free information and health screenings for more than 4,300 employees.

Each year during the holidays the Shakopee Mdewakanton Community makes donations to brighten the holidays for those who are less fortunate. Focusing largely on local social service agencies, the SMSC donated to 38 organizations which provide food and gifts for families in need.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s charitable giving program comes from a cultural and social tradition to assist those in need. The SMSC utilizes its financial resources from gaming and nongaming enterprises to pay for all of the internal infrastructure of the Community, including but not limited to housing, roads, water, wastewater and sewer systems; emergency services; and essential services to its Tribal members in education, health, and welfare.

“When our needs are met, we have the good fortune to assist others. The Business Council is grateful that the tribal membership has authorized sharing with others in need,” wrote Chairman Crooks in the Donation Report. The report is available at www.shakopeedakota.org.

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