Thursday, January 3, 2013
STAR-TRIBUNE NAMES CROOKS ONE OF MINNESOTA'S 'NORTHERN LIGHTS'
The December 29 Star-Tribune recognized the late Chairman Stanley R. Crooks of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community as one of a dozen "Northern Lights"--Minnesotans who passed away in 2012, leaving lasting legacies of singular importance. In short profiles of each, the Strib explained why the twelve were "ordinary but extraordinary." The profile on Chairman Crooks is reproduced here. It describes the late leader's humble early life as well as his contributions at the helm of one of the most influential and philanthropic tribes in the nation.
Friday, December 28, 2012
LATE CHAIRMAN CROOKS NAMED SHAKOPEE PATCH PERSON OF YEAR
The late Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Chairman Stanley R. Crooks was named Shakopee Patch's 2012 Person of the Year on December 27, 2012. Chairman Crooks passed away August 25, 2012, of natural causes. He served as Chairman of the SMSC for twenty years.
Chairman Crooks garnered 68 percent of the vote in the poll run by the national online news outlet Patch.com’s Shakopee site. He was one of three people nominated by readers of the website for their contributions to Shakopee.
Those who nominated Crooks described him as "an amazing leader, not just for his own Dakota community but for other tribes throughout Minnesota and the entire United States," and commended him for honoring the ancient Sioux tradition of generosity. Since 1996, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has donated nearly $260 million to tribes and charitable organizations in Minnesota and across the midwest, including the 2008 donation of $14.5 million to the University of Minnesota for construction of the Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza at TCF Stadium and creation of a scholarship fund for Native American students.
A staunch supporter of a diversified approach to economic development in Indian Country, Chairman Crooks was an inspiration to other tribal governments. He mentored leaders from other tribal nations and led the creation of a loan program which has been responsible for more than $523 million in loans to other tribes for economic and infrastructure development projects in recent years.
Under Crooks' leadership, the SMSC also became a driving force for employment and economic growth in Shakopee and the surrounding area. With a payroll of over $178 million in wages and benefits in its gaming and governmental operations, the tribe is the largest employer in Scott County.
Chairman Crooks garnered 68 percent of the vote in the poll run by the national online news outlet Patch.com’s Shakopee site. He was one of three people nominated by readers of the website for their contributions to Shakopee.
Those who nominated Crooks described him as "an amazing leader, not just for his own Dakota community but for other tribes throughout Minnesota and the entire United States," and commended him for honoring the ancient Sioux tradition of generosity. Since 1996, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has donated nearly $260 million to tribes and charitable organizations in Minnesota and across the midwest, including the 2008 donation of $14.5 million to the University of Minnesota for construction of the Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza at TCF Stadium and creation of a scholarship fund for Native American students.
A staunch supporter of a diversified approach to economic development in Indian Country, Chairman Crooks was an inspiration to other tribal governments. He mentored leaders from other tribal nations and led the creation of a loan program which has been responsible for more than $523 million in loans to other tribes for economic and infrastructure development projects in recent years.
Under Crooks' leadership, the SMSC also became a driving force for employment and economic growth in Shakopee and the surrounding area. With a payroll of over $178 million in wages and benefits in its gaming and governmental operations, the tribe is the largest employer in Scott County.
Friday, September 14, 2012
VOTER ID AMENDMENT THREATENS NATIVE VOTE, LEADERS SAY
Passage of an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that would require state-issued voter ID cards in order to vote could prevent many American Indians from voting, according to officials of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA).
MIGA Executive Director John McCarthy said the proposed amendment, which will appear on the November 6 general election ballot, would create unnecessary obstacles to voting, especially for elders and those who lack transportation, use post office boxes as their primary mailing address, or may not be able to afford fees associated with the new IDs. If passed, the amendment would make it impossible for tribal members to use their tribal IDs to vote in future elections.
In 2006, Minnesota tribes took legal action against then-Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer, whose office refused to recognize tribal identification cards as legal IDs for voting purposes. The tribes won the fight, and tribal IDs have been recognized as equivalent to state-issued IDs for voting purposes ever since. The proposed Voter ID amendment would change that.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will host an educational forum and rally against the Voter ID amendment on Thursday, September 20, at 10 a.m. at Northern Lights Casino in Walker, according to Leech Lake Chairwoman Cari Jones. The event is open to all.
"Many of our tribal members are unaware of how passage of this amendment could affect their voting rights," Jones said. "It would make it much more difficult for our people to participate in the democratic process. That is not acceptable to us."
"Passage of the Voter ID amendment would be a huge step backwards, not only for American Indians in Minnesota but for all those who continue to struggle against marginalization in our democracy," said McCarthy. "Our goal as a state and as a nation should be to maximize participation, not make it more difficult."
The non-partisan Minnesota League of Women Voters opposes the Voter ID amendment, according to the organization's website, because it is unnecessary, creates hurdles for eligible voters, and amounts to a costly, unfunded government mandate.
A coalition of religious leaders also has announced opposition to the Voter ID amendment, and has mounted a "Faith in Democracy" campaign to defeat it.
MIGA Executive Director John McCarthy said the proposed amendment, which will appear on the November 6 general election ballot, would create unnecessary obstacles to voting, especially for elders and those who lack transportation, use post office boxes as their primary mailing address, or may not be able to afford fees associated with the new IDs. If passed, the amendment would make it impossible for tribal members to use their tribal IDs to vote in future elections.
In 2006, Minnesota tribes took legal action against then-Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer, whose office refused to recognize tribal identification cards as legal IDs for voting purposes. The tribes won the fight, and tribal IDs have been recognized as equivalent to state-issued IDs for voting purposes ever since. The proposed Voter ID amendment would change that.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will host an educational forum and rally against the Voter ID amendment on Thursday, September 20, at 10 a.m. at Northern Lights Casino in Walker, according to Leech Lake Chairwoman Cari Jones. The event is open to all.
"Many of our tribal members are unaware of how passage of this amendment could affect their voting rights," Jones said. "It would make it much more difficult for our people to participate in the democratic process. That is not acceptable to us."
"Passage of the Voter ID amendment would be a huge step backwards, not only for American Indians in Minnesota but for all those who continue to struggle against marginalization in our democracy," said McCarthy. "Our goal as a state and as a nation should be to maximize participation, not make it more difficult."
The non-partisan Minnesota League of Women Voters opposes the Voter ID amendment, according to the organization's website, because it is unnecessary, creates hurdles for eligible voters, and amounts to a costly, unfunded government mandate.
A coalition of religious leaders also has announced opposition to the Voter ID amendment, and has mounted a "Faith in Democracy" campaign to defeat it.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
1500 GATHER TO HONOR MEMORY OF CHAIRMAN CROOKS
An estimated 1500 relatives, friends, tribal leaders and other dignitaries from across the nation gathered yesterday (Wednesday, August 29) at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) to honor the memory of beloved Tribal Chairman Stanley R. Crooks, who died Saturday, August 25.
The funeral service at Tiowakan Spiritual Center was preceded by a traditional all night vigil and prayer service, on Tuesday night, during which dozens of relatives and friends spoke about the leader all described as quiet, unassuming, generous, devoted to his family, and dedicated to the service of his community and all Native people.
Eulogists at the funeral service included Charlie Vig, who now succeeds Crooks as SMSC Chairman; Keith Anderson, SMSC Vice Chairman; Ernie Stevens, Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA); Glynn Crooks, former SMSC Vice Chairman and cousin to Chairman Crooks; and Cecelia Firethunder, former President of the Oglala Sioux Nation. Reverend Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo officiated.
Attending were representatives from more than two dozen tribal nations, including Bad River, Bois Forte, Crow Creek, Flandreau Santee, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Kickapoo, Leech Lake, Lower Sioux, Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara (Three Affiliated), Mille Lacs, Oglala Sioux (Pine Ridge), Omaha of Nebraska, Oneida of New York, Oneida of Wisconsin, Prairie Island, Red Cliff, Red Lake, Rosebud Sioux, Sisseton-Wahpeton, Spirit Lake, Standing Rock, Stockbridge-Munsee, Upper Sioux Community, and White Earth.
Also attending were state and federal dignitaries, including Governor Mark Dayton; U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken; U.S. Representatives Betty McCollum and John Kline; and numerous Minnesota legislators, city and county officials.
The printed funeral program included a statement from the Crooks family that read, “We, the family of Stanley R. Crooks, wish to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude to all the friends and relatives that have helped out during this difficult time. He was a devoted father, son, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many. He will be missed. Pidamayaye (thank you).”
Star-Tribune coverage of the funeral
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
PARKING INFORMATION FOR CROOKS WAKE, FUNERAL
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has provided additional information on parking for today's wake and tomorrow's funeral service for Chairman Stanley Crooks. Due to the limited parking available at the Tiowakan Spiritual Center, guests are asked to follow the directional signage to the designated parking areas, located in the Team Member parking lots just northwest of Mystic Lake Casino on Dakota Parkway. Shuttle service will be provided from Team Member lots to Tiowakan.
NCAI REFLECTS ON CHAIRMAN CROOKS' LIFE, CONTRIBUTIONS
The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) released a statement today reflecting on the life and contributions of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Chairman Stanley R. Crooks, a lifetime member of NCAI and prominent leader in Indian Country, who passed away this past Saturday August 25, 2012 from natural causes.
"Chairman Crooks was a dedicated Lifetime Member of NCAI and his passion for making Indian Country stronger was only surpassed by his love for his family and community. He was bold, and he carried with him the pride and courage of the Dakota people. We are sure there will be generations of great leaders who will walk in his footsteps and continue the vision of the nation he led and the efforts he supported," said Jefferson Keel, President of NCAI, and Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation.
"Chairman Crooks will long be remembered at NCAI for his many contributions to Indian Country and his steadfast support for a unified voice for Indian Country. One of his greatest gifts to NCAI - and Indian Country - was his leadership, and that of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in helping to establish the Embassy of Tribal Nations in Washington, D.C. The legacy of Stanley Crooks' leadership is honored every time a tribal leader or citizen walks in the doors of our great Embassy; when a foreign dignitary or senior U.S. government official visits to build stronger ties between nations; when NCAI staff members arrive every day to work for the betterment of Indian Country. In the Embassy of Tribal Nations, his legacy will live on to the seventh generation, and beyond, and for that Indian Country should be forever grateful to Chairman Crooks and the nation he led for so many years."
In February of 2006, the Shakopee Nation, led by Chairman Crooks, became the first Eagle level donor, establishing a challenge grant in the sum of $1 million, calling on other tribes to engage in the Embassy of Tribal Nations Capital Campaign project. In 2009, the Embassy of Tribal Nations was opened in the heart of Washington, D.C.'s "Embassy Row."
In April of 2006 Chairman Crooks wrote an op-ed in which he outlined the vision for the Embassy and why it was important for Indian Country to realize the longtime vision for a home in the nation's Capital:
In 2004 the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community contributed $100,000 to launch another important NCAI institution - the NCAI Policy Research Center - a tribally-driven research center dedicated to supporting Indian Country in shaping its own future.
Chairman Crooks' leadership was also instrumental to a renaissance in Native philanthropy. Under his leadership, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community members have approved community donations of more than $243 million to tribes and charitable organizations since 1996 and tribal loans of more than $450 million for economic development and community development. He served as Chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community for more than 20 successive years and was reelected for a new four-year term of office in January of 2012.
Note: Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights.
"Chairman Crooks was a dedicated Lifetime Member of NCAI and his passion for making Indian Country stronger was only surpassed by his love for his family and community. He was bold, and he carried with him the pride and courage of the Dakota people. We are sure there will be generations of great leaders who will walk in his footsteps and continue the vision of the nation he led and the efforts he supported," said Jefferson Keel, President of NCAI, and Lt. Governor of the Chickasaw Nation.
"Chairman Crooks will long be remembered at NCAI for his many contributions to Indian Country and his steadfast support for a unified voice for Indian Country. One of his greatest gifts to NCAI - and Indian Country - was his leadership, and that of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in helping to establish the Embassy of Tribal Nations in Washington, D.C. The legacy of Stanley Crooks' leadership is honored every time a tribal leader or citizen walks in the doors of our great Embassy; when a foreign dignitary or senior U.S. government official visits to build stronger ties between nations; when NCAI staff members arrive every day to work for the betterment of Indian Country. In the Embassy of Tribal Nations, his legacy will live on to the seventh generation, and beyond, and for that Indian Country should be forever grateful to Chairman Crooks and the nation he led for so many years."
In February of 2006, the Shakopee Nation, led by Chairman Crooks, became the first Eagle level donor, establishing a challenge grant in the sum of $1 million, calling on other tribes to engage in the Embassy of Tribal Nations Capital Campaign project. In 2009, the Embassy of Tribal Nations was opened in the heart of Washington, D.C.'s "Embassy Row."
In April of 2006 Chairman Crooks wrote an op-ed in which he outlined the vision for the Embassy and why it was important for Indian Country to realize the longtime vision for a home in the nation's Capital:
"The Embassy of Tribal Nations will benefit all Indian nations and all Native people for generations to come. It will give Indian nations a permanent home in our nation's capital. With this embassy, we can work towards increasing the status of our tribes and take our rightful place among other sovereign nations of the world - giving credence and attention to issues of importance in Indian Country.
By working under the same roof with other national Indian organizations and tribes, our goal of working with one voice can be attained. With a permanent home, Indian nations will have a base from which to carry out our intergovernmental relations to protect tribal sovereignty and treaty obligations.
The Embassy of Tribal Nations is an investment in the future of Indian Country. When this building is completed, all of Indian Country will have a presence in the Nation's Capital and the halls of Congress like never before. " - Chairman Stanley Crooks, April 2006
In 2004 the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community contributed $100,000 to launch another important NCAI institution - the NCAI Policy Research Center - a tribally-driven research center dedicated to supporting Indian Country in shaping its own future.
Chairman Crooks' leadership was also instrumental to a renaissance in Native philanthropy. Under his leadership, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community members have approved community donations of more than $243 million to tribes and charitable organizations since 1996 and tribal loans of more than $450 million for economic development and community development. He served as Chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community for more than 20 successive years and was reelected for a new four-year term of office in January of 2012.
Note: Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights.
MINNESOTA CHIPPEWA TRIBE ISSUES STATEMENT ON CHAIRMAN CROOKS' PASSING
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe (MCT) Chairman Norman Deschampe, who also serves as Chairman of the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa, issued the following statement today on behalf of the six tribes that comprise the MCT:
"The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe grieves the loss of Chairman Stanley Crooks of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Chairman Crooks was an exceptional leader in every sense of the word. His strength of
character enabled him to transcend lingering historic differences between tribes. Many of Minnesota's Chippewa (Ojibwe) tribes have experienced the generosity of Chairman Crooks and the Shakopee Sioux
community in the forms of grants and loans for everything from economic development programs to community facilities. Stan's good will and honorable intentions were evident to all who knew him, and contributed greatly to the success of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, which has an extraordinary record of success in defense of tribal interests at the State Capitol as well as in Washington DC.
"On behalf of our six member bands--Fond du Lac, Bois Forte, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, White Earth and Grand Portage--the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe extends its sincere condolences to the family of
Chairman Crooks, his colleagues on the Shakopee Business Council, community members and all those who have lost a beloved friend and colleague."
"The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe grieves the loss of Chairman Stanley Crooks of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Chairman Crooks was an exceptional leader in every sense of the word. His strength of
character enabled him to transcend lingering historic differences between tribes. Many of Minnesota's Chippewa (Ojibwe) tribes have experienced the generosity of Chairman Crooks and the Shakopee Sioux
community in the forms of grants and loans for everything from economic development programs to community facilities. Stan's good will and honorable intentions were evident to all who knew him, and contributed greatly to the success of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, which has an extraordinary record of success in defense of tribal interests at the State Capitol as well as in Washington DC.
"On behalf of our six member bands--Fond du Lac, Bois Forte, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs, White Earth and Grand Portage--the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe extends its sincere condolences to the family of
Chairman Crooks, his colleagues on the Shakopee Business Council, community members and all those who have lost a beloved friend and colleague."
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