The most generous tribe in the country?

Shakopee Mdewakanton becoming a player in charitable worldThe Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the owner of Mystic Lake Casino, plans to hand out $21 million this year, making the tribe a major philanthropic player in Minnesota and possibly the most generous tribe in the country.

Since 2003, the tribe has tripled its giving from $7 million to more than $21 million this year. As a result, the Minnesota Council on Foundations has started listing the Shakopee tribe among the top 25 grantmakers in the state.

"Tribal philanthropy is growing," said Bill King, the council's executive director. "They have a long cultural history of giving."