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Before Prior Lake City Council members voted to support the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s latest trust-land request in September, Mayor Jack Haugen gave an impassioned speech about the benefits of tribal contributions vs. the potential loss in tax revenue.

Addressing the tribe’s request to place 78 acres of land in Prior Lake into trust status, Haugen challenged Scott County commissioners who opposed the request to consider the benefits of $21.5 million in tribal contributions to area infrastructure and programs over the last four years. “How does that compare to $4,000 in lost tax revenue? Is this truly a tax issue, or is it something else?” Haugen said.

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The American Indian Family Empowerment Program (AIFEP), a donor-designated fund has achieved its goal of creating a new foundation called the Tiwahe Foundation. “Tiwahe” means “family” in the Dakota language.

The goal of the Tiwahe Foundation is to build upon AIFEP’s 16-year history of grant making to Minnesota’s American Indian community. After 13 years of operating as a donor-designated program, AIFEP received its IRS classification as a public charity in July.

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Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza officially opens The Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza at the new University of Minnesota football stadium was dedicated on August 17. The million plaza represents the 11 federally recognized tribes in Minnesota. It features a veteran’ memorial and glass markers for each tribe.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) donated $12.5 million to the university for the plaza and other projects at the stadium. It was the single largest donation for the school’s athletics program.