The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. The SMSC is one of the top employers in Scott County and seeks to be a good neighbor, sharing its success by providing donations to tribes, local governments, and nonprofits across the region, state, and country.

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Public Safety

Wozupi Tribal Gardens

The SMSC is a federally recognized, sovereign Native American tribe. As a Community, the SMSC works to preserve Dakota cultural values through philanthropy, partnerships, environmental initiatives, and cultural programming.

As a sovereign nation, our government maintains authority over our membership, lands, and government affairs. The SMSC government is responsible for providing for the wellbeing of Community members with infrastructure such as roads, sewers, housing and more. The SMSC is governed by the General Council and the Business Council.

The SMSC owns and operates a diverse collection of enterprises on its lands in Prior Lake and Shakopee, Minnesota. From a tribal garden and an all-natural foods store to two major casinos, hotels, and family entertainment centers, our enterprises help drive the local economy.

The SMSC has donated more than $325 million to organizations and causes, provided $500 million in economic development loans to other tribes, and contributed millions more to support regional governments and infrastructure. Find out more about our charitable giving in our annual Donation Reports.

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC)

Out of a Dakota tradition of helping others, the SMSC donates millions of dollars each year to other tribes, organizations, and causes and has contributed millions more to regional governments and infrastructure improvements. 

SMSC Employee and Community Member outreach programs also benefit those in need from our surrounding area. Learn more: bit.ly/3KhCegW

#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

On Veterans Day we celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

To all who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces, thank you for your service, dedication, and sacrifice.

Piuŋdapi (We are thankful).

As a sovereign nation, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community strives to be a good neighbor, good employer, and good steward of the earth. This #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth, we are highlighting these core values and the SMSC’s ongoing work to ensure a healthy community, environment, and economy for generations to come.

Collaborating in a place of cultural significance allows for truly meaningful conversations. 

Thank you to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) for allowing #shakopeeschools to host its monthly systems and structures meeting at Hoċokata Ti. #community #partnerships

Water, a precious resource, is at the heart of NativeGreen's commitment to sustainable water management. Discover how our joint water treatment plant plays a pivotal role in serving both the tribe and the city of Prior Lake, tirelessly treating millions of gallons of water daily.

Learn about NativeGreen's sustainable practices, including the implementation of rain gardens, pervious pavement, and wetland restoration. These initiatives are at the forefront of minimizing pollution and ensuring the continued health of our lakes, streams, and wetlands.

Visit SMSCnativegreen.org to dive deeper into their mission and learn how you can be a part of this crucial effort.

It was a great night to celebrate with local authors Teresa Peterson and Walter "Super" LaBatte Jr. as they shared stories from their book, Voices From Pejuhutazizi. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), through its Understand Native Minnesota campaign, is donating 20,000 copies of the book free of charge to teachers and schools who request classroom sets, to coincide with Native American Heritage Month in November. After the reading, Initiators Fellowship alum Anne O'Keefe-Jackson served food from her Wanna Wota food truck – bison sliders, wild rice salad, pumpkin hummus and apple crisp.

It’s #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth, which honors and recognizes the significant contributions Native people have made—and continue to make—to the history, culture, and landscape of the United States.

Please join us this November as we share information about the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s culture and present-day initiatives. You can also learn more about the Mdewakanton Dakota by visiting the "Mdewakanton: Dwellers of the Spirit Lake" exhibit at Hoċokata Ṫi.

For the first time, Understand Native Minnesota welcomes two guests at the same time on the podcast: Teresa “Terri” Peterson and Walter “Super” LaBatte Jr. This niece and uncle duo from the Upper Sioux Community are both focused on preserving and sharing Dakota culture. They recently wrote a book together – "Voices from Pejuhutazizi: Dakota Stories and Storytellers" – in which they share and reflect on family stories. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s Understand Native Minnesota initiative has organized a statewide K-12 One-Read program of the book for Native American Heritage Month, donating 20,000 copies to classrooms across the state.

In this episode, Rebecca talks with Terri and Super about their book, writing process, family, language revitalization, and art. Listen online: bit.ly/3FLDrJy

Discover how NativeGreen is dedicated to preserving and restoring our precious natural areas. We have ongoing prairie and wetland restoration projects that aim to reintroduce native species and enhance biodiversity.

Learn how these vital ecosystem restoration initiatives are not only bringing back native flora and fauna but also actively capturing carbon from the atmosphere, contributing to the restoration of our climate balance.

Join us on a journey to uncover the incredible work being done by NativeGreen and how you can get involved. Visit SMSCnativegreen.org to dive deeper into their mission and be part of the solution for a more biodiverse and sustainable future.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is #hiring a full-time firefighter/paramedic to work at the Mdewakanton Public Safety facility. Individuals in this role will respond to emergency calls and provide frontline medical care in and around the Community. Eligible candidates must have a current state or national equivalent Paramedic certification and the ability to obtain Haz-Mat and IFSAC, Firefighter II level certification. As an SMSC employee, you can access awesome perks like on-site medical clinics, weekly competitive pay, and exclusive discounts throughout the Community. Apply online at bit.ly/3SoRNXZ

ORG:SHAKOPEEDAKOTA

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community