MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Native Americans

in Philanthropy presented its annual Tribal Philanthropy of the Year

Award to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community during its 25th

anniversary celebration on May 4 at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel.

“Since its gaming enterprise first

saw success in the 1990s, the SMSC has been a major driver of tribal

philanthropy across the country,” NAP’s development and

communications director Y. Elaine Rasmussen said. “The SMSC is the

largest philanthropic giver in Indian Country, and this year

demonstrated their leadership by establishing a national campaign to

improve Native American nutrition. This campaign, and the tribe’s

long giving tradition, is the embodiment of what NAP seeks to

recognize every year.”

According to a press release, SMSC’s

Gaming Enterprise has been responsible for $200 million in grants and

loans throughout Indian Country. One of the tribe’s in-house

endeavors, Seeds of Native Health – the $5 million campaign

launched in March by the SMSC and its partners – is a

nationally-coordinated effort to improve nutrition of Native

Americans across the country though increased access to fresh and

healthy foods, education, and research.

“The value of sharing is a deeply

rooted Dakota tradition, and is one we strive to honor every day

through our partnerships and our giving,” SMSC Chairman Charlie Vig

said. “We are grateful for this recognition, and hope our efforts

continue to strengthen and support Indian Country for generations to

come.”

Founded in 1990, NAP is a national

nonprofit membership organization that works to advance philanthropy

supporting Native values and communities. Each year, NAP honors the

exceptional work of a tribe that grounds its philanthropic giving in

traditional values and traditions through the Tribal Philanthropy of

the Year Award.