The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized Indian tribe, which was formally organized under federal reservation status 41 years ago. Tribal members are direct descendants of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux people who occupied land near the lower Minnesota River. The tribe owns more than 3,360 acres of land within Shakopee and Prior Lake. The Community owns and operates the Mystic Lake Casino and Hotel, the Little Six Casino, using gaming revenue to provide a range of services to its members, as a sovereign government. The largest employer in Scott County, the Community also supports a number of charitable causes, both locally and nationally.