Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community: PART I of III - MN Tribal Nations Plaza Dedication

University of Minnesota TCF Stadium - August 17, 2009

The ceremony featured American Indian elements such as a Dakota prayer, a traditional blessing of the sky markers, and songs by traditional drum groups. The SMSC made a charitable donation of $10 million for construction of the plaza and $2.5 million for a matching endowment fund. The plaza exhibits and celebrates the rich history, presence, and cultural contributions of all of the eleven Indian tribes in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza is located at the entrance on the west side of TCF Bank Stadium. The architecturally innovative design includes eleven, 18-foot tall sky markers, each of which incorporates information about each one of Minnesota's 11 Tribal Nations. Tribal flags, images, and important facts are incorporated on the soaring glass sky markers.

The eleven tribal nations in Minnesota are the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Chippewa Indians, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, the White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, the Lower Sioux Indian Community, the Prairie Island Dakota Community, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, and the Upper Sioux Community.

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Education

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• SMSC
• UofM
• Dedication
• Part