U of M to dedicate Tribal Nations Plaza at new stadium

Officials with the University of Minnesota and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community will host a dedication ceremony this afternoon for the TCF Bank Stadium's Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza.

The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. and is open to the public. The Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza encompasses the largest and most central west entrance of TCF Bank Stadium.

The design includes a water feature and 11 sky markers, each 18 feet high. Each marker incorporates information about the eleven Minnesota tribal nations, including the tribal flags, images, and other important facts.

The plaza was made possible as part of a $12.5 million gift from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, according to university officials. Of that, $2.5 million also went toward a matching fund to create a $5 million endowment for scholarships for American Indian students.

The dedication ceremony will include remarks from Stanley Crooks, Chairman of Sioux community, University of Minnesota Board of Regents Chair Clyde Allen and President Robert Bruininks; a presentation by the Mazukute Drum Group; and the formal blessing of the 11 tribal nation's sky markers.