Chairman Stanley R. Crooks 1941-2012
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Stanley R. Crooks, Chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community since 1992, who passed away Saturday, August 25 at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, Minnesota, from natural causes surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was 70 years old.
Stanley Crooks served as Chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community for more than 20 successive years and was reelected for a new four-year term of office in January of 2012. Under his leadership, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has grown and thrived. Known for his decisiveness, quick humor, fierce defense of tribal sovereignty and self-determination, Chairman Crooks always put his Community first.
New Secretary/Treasurer Lori K. Watso Takes Office
September 10, 2012
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community General Council has filled a vacancy on its Business Council with the election of a new Secretary/Treasurer. Lori K. Watso, who served as the SMSC’s Secretary/Treasurer from January 2000-2004, was elected to the position and sworn in on September 10, 2012. The vacancy was created by the sudden death of longtime Chairman Stanley R. Crooks on August 25, 2012. Pursuant to the constitutional procedures which govern the Community. Vice-Chairman Charlie Vig succeeded Chairman Crooks and Secretary/Treasurer Keith B. Anderson assumed the office of Vice-Chairman. A tribal election was held to fill the office of Secretary/Treasurer which became vacant when the two other members assumed their new roles.
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, Mazopiya, The Meadows at Mystic Lake, and other enterprises on a reservation south of the Twin Cities.
