“The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) on Thursday announced a package of donations totaling more than $4 million for Native American causes in Minnesota and six other states. Examples of projects funded by the donations include broadband internet, community center renovations, college scholarships and water treatment facilities.” SWNews Media
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Chairman Charlie Vig
Excerpt: Tribe donates $4 million to Native American causes–SWNews Media
“There are so many needs across Indian Country, and the SMSC’s financial support will go a long way toward improving the lives of many people, especially children and future generations,’ said SMSC Chairman Charles R. Vig. The SMSC has donated approximately $350 million to organizations and causes in the past 25 years.
The SMSC announced the new multi-million package of donations less than one month after making a $200,000 gift to fund living allowances for AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers working to improve Native nutrition, as part of the SMSC’s $5 million Seeds of Native Health campaign. It was the first time in VISTA’s history in which a tribe provided funding to deploy VISTA members nationally. In an editorial lauding Seeds of Native Health, the Star Tribune called the tribe a ‘philanthropic force.’
