Prior Lake, Minnesota - Up to $1 million is now available to support Boys and Girls Clubs in Indian Country due to a challenge grant issued by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. The SMSC will match, dollar for dollar, all donations received from charitable foundations, private donors, and other Indian Nations in fiscal year 2007 to Boys and Girls Clubs. The SMSC has issued the challenge in response to an initiative by the National Indian Gaming Association to others to support youth in Indian Country.

"Anytime that we can support efforts to help our children, it is important to seize the opportunity," said Shakopee Chairman Stanley Crooks. "To ensure our sovereignty and to ensure the health of our tribes, we need to have our children get good educations so that they will be able to come back to the reservation, work with their tribes, and support their families."

The mission of Boys and Girls Clubs is to inspire and enable all young people - especially those from disadvantaged circumstances - to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. The Clubs provide Indian youth with a myriad of services including athletic programs, career and health counseling, and after-school activities.

The National Indian Gaming Association is a non-profit trade association comprised of 184 American Indian nations and other non-voting associate members. The common commitment and purpose of NIGA is to advance the lives of Indian people - economically, socially and politically. NIGA operates as a clearinghouse and educational, legislative and public policy resource for tribes, policymakers and the public on Indian gaming issues and tribal community development.

NIGA announced the challenge grant at their 15th Annual Trade Show and Membership Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in April 2006, but the funds are for fiscal year 2007, which began October 1, 2006.

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