Tribal Operations

Mission Statement

The mission of the Upper Sioux Board of Trustees is to provide culturally-based programs and services that preserve the Dakota traditions, promote and support education, healthy families and a diversified and growing economy, leading to increased self-esteem and self-sufficiency for individual community members and the Upper Sioux Community, Pezihutazizi Oyate.

Since its formal designation as an Indian community, Upper Sioux has struggled with poverty, substandard housing, inadequate health care, and the subtleties of racism. Tribal leaders continually strived to improve the standard of living and the quality of life on the reservation. The population was small, and Upper Sioux's share of program monies from the federal government was minimal, yet elected tribal leaders still managed to provide "bare-bones" programs in housing, health care, and education. Through the 1970's and 80's, conditions improved very little, despite many vocal supporters, both Indian and non-Indian, and we continued to struggle for survival on our small tact of land along the Minnesota River.

By the late 1980's the legal standing of tribes as sovereign nations had been acknowledged in the highest federal courts. In 1990, following these court decisions, the Upper Sioux Community did as many other tribes had done—we exercised our rights as a sovereign nation to capitalize on a financial opportunity by building and opening Firefly Creek Casino.

In the years since, our businesses have helped to revitalize and energize the Upper Sioux Community, allowing us an opportunity to obtain economic independence. Through obtaining an additional 654 acres of Dakota ancestral lands, the community can work towards meeting the growing demands of an increasing population, now at 482. We are finding ways to preserve our dignity, our culture and our traditions, free from the burden of meeting basic survival needs. Total land base stands at 1,440 acres.