Shakopee Tribe donates $870K for tribes facing fuel shortage

Monday, February 10, 2014  

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota has donated $870,000 to help tribes deal with a propane fuel crisis.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota and South Dakota will receive $500,000 to help its members buy propane. The Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota will receive $300,000 and the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska will receive $70,000.

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

The money comes after a Debbie Dogskin, 61, died on the Standing Rock Reservation. She was in a home that didn't have any propane.

Get the Story:
Dakotas reservation with propane crisis gets aid from Minnesota tribe; ND gov also offers help (AP 2/10)
Propane shortage fuels Dakotas reservation crisis (AP 2/7)

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Standing Rock Sioux Tribe ties woman's death to fuel crisis (2/5)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opens shelters in subzero weather (1/30)