Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
GOOD NEIGHBOR GOOD EMPLOYER GOOD STEWARD OF THE EARTH
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) continues to celebrate new achievements in pursuit of our mission and values. We would like to take this opportunity to reflect on some of the many successes that occurred in 2024. We hope this inspires our friends and neighbors to join in all the great work that still remains.
OUR MISSION
Caring for Uŋci Maka (Grandmother Earth) is at the heart of what the SMSC strives to do—now and for future generations. We are fully dedicated to serving our members, supporting other tribes and organizations across the globe, creating strong partnerships, and protecting our natural resources for the benefit of everyone.
NATIVEGREEN
NativeGreen unifies all of our past accomplishments and future work together in a public forum. To bring Uŋci Maka back to a path of balance with modern life will take extraordinary commitments to sustainability by communities like ours. As others chart their own paths, our friends and neighbors can look to NativeGreen for the bold leadership and innovation happening throughout the SMSC.
OUR LAND
91 acres of prairie restored Wozupi Tribal Gardens
grew organic produce throughout the year.
HOURS SPENT
5,000 328 2,300 native trees native shrubs native plants PLANTED THIS YEAR removing invasive species
294 ash trees were saved by treating for Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect
SMSC did not find any invasive zebra mussels during surveys on 6 lakes in 2024 97
The SMSC has reintroduced 10 female bison. Staff conducted 657 fence and wellness checks in 2024.
PRESCRIBED BURNS MIMICKED NATURAL FIRE AND REGENERATION ON 237 ACRES.
THAT’S MORE THAN IN 2023 BY 50+ ACRES!
OUR WATER
ARCTIC LAKE WATER CLARITY AVERAGE REACHED THE DEEPEST IN ALL YEARS OF SAMPLING
FOUR LAKES, SIX STREAMS, TWO WETLANDS, AND TWO SPRINGS WERE MONITORED FOR WATER QUALITY.
Completed 1,236 erosion and sediment control inspections at 59 sites.
DEANS LAKE WAS ADDED TO OUR WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM IN 2024
IN 2024, MYSTIC LAKE MET ALL WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND THE TOTAL YEARLY CHLORIDE CONCENTRATION DECREASED BY 59 MG/L
The 2024 free yard waste program collected yard waste from 1,801 residents of Scott County.
HOLIDAY COMPOSTING PROGRAMS:
343 Christmas trees were composted
6.14 tons of pumpkins composted
RECYCLING TRUCK LOADS
Mattresses, TVs, refrigerators and microwaves
In 2024, the SMSC took in and recycled 75,547 tons of organic waste
17,862 tons of wood waste
15,194 tons of food waste
31,9134 tons of yard waste
Dakota Prairie Composting broke ground
89.6% OF ORGANIC WASTE CAME FROM THE TWIN CITIES METRO, 2.2% CAME FROM SMSC ENTERPRISES, AND THE REMAINING 8.2% CAME FROM OUTSIDE THE METRO AREA.
SMSC ENERGY USE PER HOME COMPARED TO 2018 BASELINE:
SMSC WATER BOTTLING SOLD 9,181 REUSEABLE 5-GALLON JUGS, THE EQUIVALENT OF SAVING 293,792 SINGLE-USE WATER BOTTLES. CO2e emissions
• Electricity use decreased by 25%
• Natural gas use decreased by 29%
BUILDINGS AND ENERGY
• Electricity use decreased 10%*
• CO2e decreased by 33%* SMSC-Wide Energy Use compared to 2018 Baseline: THAT’S UP BY 24,000 FROM LAST YEAR!
THE SMSC MATCHED 100% OF ELECTRICITY NEEDS (86 GIGAWATT-HOURS) TO ON-SITE SOLAR AND 5 WIND FARMS IN THE DAKOTAS.
• Natural gas use decreased by 34%*
* Weather-normalized to account for the warmer winter temps and hotter summer in 2024.
EDUCATION
WE ARE WATER, A TRAVELING EXHIBIT HOSTED BY THE MINNESOTA HUMANITIES CENTER, WAS HELD AT THE SMSC IN 2024. TABLES EDUCATED PEOPLE ABOUT AQUATIC VEGETATION, LEAD TACKLE AND BAIT, STRATIGRAPHY, THE WATER CYCLE, ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES, AND SOIL EROSION.
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Ina Maka Yuonihaŋpi educational events taught youth about natural resources, including activities on stormwater, plant identification, geocaching, and stream paths.
Educational events taught Playworks students about orienteering, nature art, stream formation and erosion.
HOW WE MOVE
13 new Level 2 ChargePoint EV chargers were installed around the SMSC this year
The SMSC joined the EV Smart Native Nations Program. This program supports and provides Native communities with a roadmap to electric vehicle readiness.
The SMSC celebrated Earth Day by hosting 2 events with 274 total attendees SMSC fleet piloted its first electric vehicle, and plans to include more in the coming years
GOOD NEIGHBOR
4,027
BACKPACKS FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES WERE DONATED TO STUDENTS K-12.
1,184 PET SUPPLY ITEMS WERE DONATED TO ANIMAL SHELTERS AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
1,768 TOYS were donated to local children during the annual SMSC Toy Drive
100+ DAILY RIDERS used the SMSC’s public transit and motor pool programs.
Donated over 1,500 pieces of furniture to families in need
SHAKOPEE’S MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL CONTINUES TO PROMOTE CLEANER TRANSPORTATION AND HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES FOR RESIDENTS
DONATED OVER 150 TVS AND 100 MINI FRIDGES
HABITAT RESTORE
1 TRUCK LOAD 24 ROLLS OF BUFFET CARPET
1,202 FAMILIES WERE SERVED IN THE 2024 FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS EVENTS
THE MINNESOTA ZOO’S TREETOP TRAIL HELD ITS GRAND OPENING. IT WAS COMPLETED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SMSC. IT IS THE LONGEST ELEVATED TRAIL LOOP IN THE WORLD.
FUEL USE DECREASED 3% ACROSS THE SMSC SINCE LAST YEAR, WHICH IS A 21% DECREASE SINCE 2018
The SMSC Print Shop has proudly printed this report and other publications on Monadnock Paper Mills’ products for several years. Monadnock produces over 50% of its electrical requirement from on-site low-impact river hydro power. All of their products are made with 100% renewable electricity through the investment in Green-e certified wind powered RECs, and manufactured carbon neutral through the investment in emission reductions (CERs) certified under the Kyoto CDM Registry. Its products are certified by Preferred by Nature to the industry’s Chain of Custody Standard, and this report was made from 100% post-consumer recycled content. Its facilities have also maintained ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification for more than a decade.
Supply chain impacts (including Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions) are a very important aspect of the SMSC’s short-, medium-, and long-term goals. By sourcing our goods and services from the most socially and environmentally responsible companies, we maximize our influence and support for the businesses and leadership that our planet depends on.