Shakopee mdewakanton sioux community

Before European Contact

The Minnesota River Valley has been home to the Dakota for hundreds of years; the existence of our ancestors was sustained by their relationship with the earth and their surroundings. For generations Dakota families fished from the river, gathered rice from area lakes, and hunted game on the prairies and in the river valley woodlands. Along the banks of the lower Minnesota River, leaders of the Eastern Dakota including Sakpe, Mazomani, Chaske, and Wambdi Tanka established villages. From these sites, the Dakota traveled for hunting, gathering, and meeting with other tribes. Our ancestors lived in harmony with the world around them, and Dakota culture flourished.

The Treaty and Reservation Era

In 1805 U.S. soldiers arrived at Mendota, and a series of treaties forced on the Dakota Nation over the next 50 years would see their homeland taken away, their ability to provide for themselves destroyed, and an increasing reliance upon the government’s promises for payments and goods. The traditional Dakota way of life was stolen and replaced by confinement to reservations.

After another winter of starvation and months spent listening to the agent’s lies about the arrival of annuity payments and provisions as promised by treaties, the Dakota could tolerate no more and were forced to fight. In 1862 the Dakota battled for their homelands, their culture, and their very survival. When the war was over, our Dakota ancestors had been defeated.

The largest mass execution in United States history followed, with President Abraham Lincoln condemning 38 Dakota men to death. The 38 were hanged at Mankato, Minnesota, on December 26, 1862. Women, children, and elderly men were forced to walk more than 100 miles to Fort Snelling, where they were held in a concentration camp through the winter of 1862-1863. The United States Congress abrogated all treaties with our ancestors and decreed that the Dakota were to be removed from Minnesota. The majority were sent on barges to Crow Creek, South Dakota, where disease was rampant and many died. Eventually, the survivors were removed to Santee, Nebraska, where they live today. Other Dakota traveled to Canada and settled there.

But some Dakota never left their homeland.

Those Dakota who remained in Minnesota spent many impoverished years attempting to gain support and help from the government. It was not until the early 1880s that Congress finally began to realize the strong Dakota presence in Minnesota. In the 1890s land was re-acquired for the Mdewakanton Dakota in Minnesota. For the next 50 years, life for the Dakota people was one of poverty and hardship. Children were sent away to Indian boarding schools, and the government’s policy to destroy Dakota culture continued.

In the 1950s and 1960s Dakota families living on trust land in Prior Lake fought hard to make ends meet and to put food on the table. Health care, educational opportunities, and steady employment were out of reach. In 1969 after years of persistence in dealing with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community was finally given federal recognition as an Indian tribe and began the difficult process of creating a government and economic system. During the early 1970s Community members depended on food subsidies called commodities, and low paying jobs were still the norm. The economic reality of life on the reservation was harsh. But Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota families did not give up. Through a number of tribal initiatives, members created a health care program, a childcare facility, and a home improvement program. All of these programs began to change life on the reservation.

Prospects Begin to Improve

In the 1980s, the economic future began to look brighter. On October 16, 1982, due to the hard work of Community members, the Little Six Bingo Palace opened, and bus loads of people began arriving. This new source of economic opportunity brought many changes to the Community. Tribal government services improved, and opportunities for the tribe and its members increased.

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 May 1992, Mystic Lake Casino was unveiled, and the impact was incredible.

In 1993 a new Community Center was built and dedicated to the children of the Community. Diversification of the tribal economy was made a priority with the opening of Dakotah! Sport and Fitness, the Shakopee Dakota Convenience Store, Dakota Mall, Playworks, Dakotah Meadows RV Park, and adding the hotel to the casino complex.

All through the 1990s the infrastructure of the Community went through major improvements, with new sewer, water, and roads. New subdivisions offered major changes in housing for Community members. The natural surroundings were improved with tree plantings and wetland restorations.

Growth in the 21st Century

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community continues its growth. Since the year 2000, the SMSC has built Tiowakan Spiritual Center, two hotel towers, Dakotah Meadows Mini Storage, Playworks LINK Event Center, parking decks for Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, two phases at Dakotah Meadows RV Park, The Buffet at Mystic Lake, The Meadows at Mystic Lake, and opened the Mystic Lake Store at Mall of America. In 2005, the SMSC dedicated a Veterans Monument on the grounds of Tiowakan Spiritual Center. In 2007 the SMSC opened a second Shakopee Dakota Convenience Store.

At the SMSC Gaming Enterprise, a new Entertainment Center containing a Showroom for concerts and events and a Bingo Hall opened in the fall of 2007. On December 13, 2007, a new Little Six Casino opened at the site of the original Bingo Hall.

The SMSC developed Mdewakanton Emergency Services, a full-time, professional fire and ambulance department staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The department responds to an average of 140 calls and transports an average of 60 patients each month, providing mutual aid to area departments on request. An addition to the Fire Station in 2008 doubled the total building size and added skylights with daylight harvesting sensors and six solar panels to heat water.

The Mdewakanton Emergency Services Department also administers the Mdewakanton LIFE Program which has donated more than 746 automatic external defibrillators to organizations including the Minnesota State Patrol, other rescue and law enforcement programs, charitable groups, and schools. The program has documented 18 lives saved because of the use of defibrillators donated by the SMSC.

A Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) utilizing European technology to treat wastewater for reuse as irrigation opened in 2006. Leftover, treated biosolids are used as fertilizer. The WRF also has one of the largest green roofs in the Midwest, which reduces energy costs and consumption, prolongs the life of the roof, and treats storm water. The WRF has been honored by three entities for its excellence: the Minnesota American Council on Engineering Companies (ACEC), Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE), and the Minnesota Governor’s Award for Excellence in Waste and Pollution Prevention.

A 1,000,000-gallon water tower was built to better serve the Community. A second water treatment facility and another water tower were constructed on the northern portion of the Community. In early 2009 a reverse osmosis facility was added to provide enhanced water treatment by eliminating the need for water softeners in Community enterprises and homes.

Taking Care of the Earth

As a steward of the earth, the SMSC conducts a number of activities to preserve and protect the land for future generations. Prescribed burns are used to improve native prairie conditions. Wild rice is sowed in Community wetlands. Beehives are maintained, and honey is gathered. Maple syrup is made from sap collected from trees on the reservation. Environmental specialists are active in restoring and managing wetlands and taking an inventory of existing natural communities, both floral and faunal. Trees and other native flora are planted. Water resource staff assess water quality, coordinate the Community’s Wellhead Protection Program, plan projects to improve water quality, and implement erosion control. A total of 548 acres of former farmland has been restored to native prairie and wetlands.

The SMSC opened up a new Organics Recycling Facility in the fall of 2011 on trust land off County Road 83. The facility is open to the public. Local haulers transport materials to the facility where they are ground up and mixed together following a science-based recipe that carefully blends carbon, nitrogen, and moisture. The output is then placed on a windrow pad, a designated area which contains the rows, and turned every three days. The materials are then screened and ready for use after about 12 weeks.

In a unique collaboration, the ORF is available for use at no charge to neighboring governments. Shakopee, Prior Lake, and Savage bring their leaves, brush, and other organic materials to the site, saving their governments money and promoting good will among the tribe’s neighbors. Organic waste from school lunches in the Prior Lake Savage School System are also hauled to the site, saving the school system money and teaching the youth about the environmental benefits of composting food and other organic waste.

In 2010 SMSC Community members, staff, children, and volunteers planted a 1.5 acre organic garden, Mdewakanton Wozupi, which grew enough produce to support three weekly Farmer’s Markets throughout the summer and fall. Organic vegetables were also supplied to some of the Community’s restaurants. In 2011 the vegetable garden site tripled in size. A root cellar was also constructed to store vegetables after harvest for preservation all year around. Also in 2011 a greenhouse was built to start seeds and dry and cure produce such as garlic, onions, and squash. Children from the SMSC Education Department and Playworks plant and help maintain the garden, enjoying produce and preparing vegetables.

A three-acre orchard was also planted which features a number of varieties of traditional Dakota foods: juneberries, elderberries, wild plum, hazelnuts, black cherry, and hickory. In 2011 conventional fruits were added, including: 14 apple varieties, three pear varieties, three apricot varieties, 13 raspberry varieties, two strawberry varieties, and one cherry variety.

In 2011 a Tribally Supported Agriculture (TSA) began, inspired by the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model of farming. Mdewakanton Wozupi TSA shares provide 18 weeks of produce deliveries with many additional resources and opportunities to support healthy living through the growing season. TSA shares are available to Community members and employees.

In late 2011 a new tribal department was formed consolidating food production projects by combining the Wozupi along with the tribe’s honey and maple syrup production activities. SMSC honey and maple syrup are produced naturally on the reservation, minimally processed, and packaged for sale at Mazopiya and other locations.

In November 2010 Mazopiya, a natural food market, opened as the Community’s newest enterprise. Featuring a large variety of organic, natural, and local foods, Mazopiya also offers a deli with daily hot and cold specials, a salad and soup bar, and wellness products. Mazopiya also features fresh produce from Mdewakanton Wozupi, starting with winter squash and continuing with other vegetables as they become available.

Several energy initiatives are currently underway. The SMSC is a partner in Koda Energy, a joint venture with Rahr Malting of Shakopee to produce heat and electricity by burning agricultural by-products and grown energy crops.

Another innovative project now converts the Community’s waste motor oil to heat buildings. Previously, waste oil was hauled away; but some Community spaces are partially heated by waste oil which reduces the use of natural gas. Another project has resulted in the conversion of 18,000 gallons of waste vegetable oil each year from the Community restaurants into bio-diesel for use in vehicles and equipment.

In 2009 a 262-foot, 1.5 megawatt wind turbine became operational in the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. This turbine generates the equivalent of all the SMSC's residential energy demands, though the energy it generates is metered into a nearby power substation and sold on the open market.

In 2010 the SMSC received their first LEED certification for a building which now houses South Metro Federal Credit Union. A number of environmentally responsible initiatives were incorporated into the building design to achieve this goal. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings, emphasizes sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality. LEED Certification on the building which houses Mazopiya is also underway.

As a positive expression of tribal sovereignty, in July 2008 the SMSC opened a bottling facility on the reservation to bottle water for use in tribal enterprises, special events, and for sale commercially. The plant also produces the plastic bottles it needs in various sizes from preformed plastic. In 2011 production began for distilled water products.

In October 2008 a second sheet of ice opened at Dakotah! Sport and Fitness. Dakotah! Ice Center is home ice for the Prior Lake High School Girls’ and Boys’ Hockey Teams as well as the Prior Lake/Savage Hockey Association. Dakotah! also offers hockey and figure skating lessons and open skate sessions.

This new ice arena contains a 32,648 square foot green roof. The facility also has 16 solar panels to heat water for use in the ice-making equipment, skylights with daylight harvesting sensors, and a compressor system and heat exchanger to take the waste heat from the ice-making equipment and redirect it through the bleachers to heat the seating area. These initiatives will result in energy savings over the long-term.

More Services Offered

The success of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s enterprises has allowed the Community to create and provide numerous education, health, and social service programs for Community members, staff, and Native Americans in Scott County. The SMSC has increased health services by opening a pharmacy and a Wellness Center containing a Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Care Clinic in 2007. In late 2007 the Mystic Clinic opened to provide urgent care services to team members of the SMSC Gaming Enterprise. In the summer of 2008 a Vision Clinic opened to provide eye exams, testing, and eyeglass and contacts services.

The SMSC unveiled a Mobile Unit which not only houses facilities for mammography and cancer screening but also amenities so that it can function as an Incident Command Center in the event of a major emergency or disaster. Dental services were added to the Mobile Clinic in November 2008, with additional services added in 2009.

In 2009 the SMSC reached an agreement with Scott County to use the Mobile Unit to provide free health services to uninsured and underinsured county residents at several locations. In June 2010 the Mobile Unit spent 10 days in Wadena, Minnesota, assisting with the recovery efforts from a tornado which devastated the area.

Other Activities
In 2009 and 2010 the SMSC unveiled social media sites (Facebook pages) for Dakotah! Sport and Fitness, Playworks, The Meadows at Mystic Lake, the Shakopee Dakota Convenience Stores, the Wacipi (Pow Wow), and Mazopiya.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Gaming Enterprise was named one of the Top Workplaces in the Twin Cities metro area based on employee surveys completed and submitted in response to a Star Tribune project. Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive companies in the metro area based on employee opinions about company leadership, career opportunities, workplace flexibility, compensation, and benefits. The analysis included responses from over 33,000 employees at Minnesota public, private, and nonprofit organizations. The SMSC Gaming Enterprise came in at number 16 out of 100 companies rated. In 2011 the SMSC Gaming Enterprise was ranked #22 on the large company list for the state of Minnesota.

In July 2011 the new amphitheater at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel opened. With a capacity of 8,357 seats, the amphitheater hosted several concerts during its first season, including Jason Mraz, the country band Diamond Rio, and The Beach Boys. Temporary facilities are set up on The Meadows at Mystic Lake practice range for each specific show such as bleachers, a box office, chairs, a stage, concession stands, and restroom facilities.

The Meadows at Mystic Lake has been acclaimed by several magazines as one of the top courses in the country. Golfweek magazine has chosen the course as one of the “Best Casino Courses” and as one of the “Best Courses You Can Play” each of the last three years. It has also won Reader’s Choice Awards for “Best Casino Golf Course” from Midwest Gaming & Travel magazine for the past several years as well as a Golf Digest ranking as one of the top new golf courses in the country.

The Community’s newest restaurant, Mystic Steakhouse, opened on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. The upscale restaurant feature steaks, chops, and seafood.

In December 2011 the Ten Year Plan for the SMSC Gaming Enterprise, which focused largely on construction, was completed and planning began for the 2022 Plan which will focus on programs and marketing.

Strong Economic Impact

Evidence of the huge economic impact of the Community’s enterprises can also be seen in other areas. The SMSC is proud to be a leader in sharing its success with other Tribes through a commitment to making charitable donations. Since 1995 the SMSC has donated more than $229.3 million to Indian Tribes, charitable organizations, schools, and Native American organizations. The SMSC has also made more than $396 million in loans to other tribes for economic development projects.

The SMSC made donations totaling $14.5 million to the University of Minnesota for scholarships and the new football stadium. The $10 million stadium gift is the largest private gift ever to Golden Gopher Athletics. A portion of the gift funded the Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza to exhibit and celebrate the history, presence, and cultural contributions of all eleven Indian tribes in Minnesota. Tribal flags, images and important facts are displayed on the 18-foot tall soaring glass sky markers. The remainder of the donation went into a matching endowment fund, creating a $5 million endowment to provide scholarships for students.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Endowed Scholarship program is designed to recruit and retain talented American Indian students with demonstrated financial need to the University of Minnesota. To date, 60 students have received the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Endowed Scholarship.

In December 2010 the SMSC was awarded the national Jefferson Award for philanthropy. In 1972 Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr., and Sam Beard founded the Jefferson Awards for Public Service to establish a ‘Nobel Prize’ for public community service. The SMSC was one of 12 winners of this prestigious award.

As the largest employer in Scott County, the SMSC provides much needed jobs for more than 4,100 people. Employees have excellent health, dental, retirement, and other benefits including discounts at Playworks, Dakotah! Sport and Fitness, Mazopiya, The Meadows at Mystic Lake, and the Shakopee Dakota Convenience Stores.

Millions of dollars are pumped into the area’s economy each year as a result of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s successful economic enterprises, both gaming and non-gaming. Today, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel is known as one of the largest and most successful Indian-owned casinos in the United States and is one of the largest tourist attractions in the Upper Midwest. It is in the forefront of gaming technology and is a leader in the hospitality industry.

To honor our ancestors and continue our Dakota traditions, the Community engages in a variety of cultural activities in addition to our annual Wacipi. The Community works to preserve cultural sites. Children and adults are learning the Dakota Language, song, and dance.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota are proud of our accomplishments, and we honor our ancestors, for it is because of their strong sense of survival and pride in being Dakota, that we have the ability to prosper today.