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.
