Shakopee mdewakanton sioux community

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 town of Shakopee, MN, is now located. Tribal members are descendants of the Dakota people who lived in this area before European settlers arrived.

The official, legal name is the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community is also acceptable as is Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota) Community. 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 for clarity to distinguish which Mdewakanton community is meant by using the word "Shakopee."  The use of Mdewakanton Community or Mdewakanton Sioux by itself is unacceptable when referring to the modern-day Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

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 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.

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community members tried many different economic development initiatives but it was not until 1982 when SMSC Chairman Norman Crooks suggested bringing Indian gaming to Minnesota that life improved dramatically. With support from the General Council, Chairman Norman Crooks began the process of bringing high stakes bingo to the SMSC with the creation of Little Six Bingo. Community members worked 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 SMSC Gaming Enterprise today, serving on its Board of Directors and the Gaming Commission and through the actions of the General Council. Indian gaming brought many changes to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Tribal government services increased, as did opportunities for the tribe and its members. Jobs were available for everyone who was able to work. 

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 opened, 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.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community owns and operates these enterprises to fund tribal government programs: the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Gaming Enterprise which consists of Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Little Six Casino, The Buffet, Minnehaha Café, Mystic Express, Il Premio, The Coffee Bar, Meadows Grille, Fusion Noodle Bar, Sweet Temptations, Gambler’s Grille, Mystic Deli, Tipi Restaurant, and Little Six Restaurant; The Meadows at Mystic Lake; Mazopiya; the Mystic Lake Store at the Mall of America; 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. The SMSC also owns the building which is leased to South Metro Federal Credit Union.