Prior Lake, Minn. – In the wake of widespread propane shortages and excessive costs this winter, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) today announced three grants to the Standing Rock, Yankton, and Santee Sioux tribes to help them purchase propane for tribal members. The price of propane has risen dramatically since last year, leaving many tribal families struggling to pay for their heat during this extra-cold winter.

 
Standing Rock Chairman Dave Archambault II recently declared a state of emergency. “The current propane shortage and the resultant increase in propane prices – as well as the extreme winter weather – threaten our members’ ability to keep their homes warm and their families safe,” he wrote.

 
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, which straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota border, will receive $500,000 for propane. The tribe has 8,500 members living on the sixth largest reservation in the United States, at 2.3 million acres.

 
The Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota will receive $300,000 for propane. The Yankton Sioux Tribe has lands along the Missouri River in Charles Mix County, just across the river from central Nebraska. Of the 12,246 tribal members, about a third of them live on the 43,000-acre reservation.

 
The Santee Sioux Nation of Niobrara, Nebraska, will receive $70,000 for propane. The Santee Sioux Reservation encompasses 110,080 acres and is home to about one-third of the tribal population of 2,662.

 
“The thought of people struggling during such a harsh winter is unbearable,” said SMSC Chairman Charlie Vig.  “We are happy to provide these grants, which will help ensure these tribes’ members are warm and cared for.”

 
About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. With a focus on being a good neighbor, good steward of the earth, and good employer, the SMSC is committed to community partnerships, charitable donations, a healthy environment, and a strong economy. The SMSC and the SMSC Gaming Enterprise (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and Little Six Casino) are the largest employer in Scott County. Out of a Dakota tradition to help others, the SMSC has also donated nearly $272 million since 1992, including more than $152 million to other tribes, tribal organizations, and American Indian causes.