Stadium plaza to honor all 11 state tribes

University of Minnesota officials are to announce today the plaza's design, including 18-foot "sky markers" with tribal flags and crests.

By JEFF SHELMAN, Star Tribune

Last update: September 14, 2008 - 11:48 PM

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Each of the state's 11 American Indian tribes will be represented outside of the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium.

Today, the school is expected to announce the design for the Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza, the area leading to the main gate of the new campus football stadium.

The plaza, which was made possible after the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community gave the largest single private gift to the U Athletic Department, will feature 11 "sky markers," one for each of the tribal nations in the state.

Each 18-foot sky marker will incorporate a tribal flag, crest and educational information.

"We're grateful to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community for their support and for their commitment to recognizing all 11 of Minnesota's American Indian communities in this stunning plaza," Gophers Athletics Director Joel Maturi said. "This will be one of the most vibrant and visible parts of TCF Bank Stadium and serve as a lasting tribute to the importance of Minnesota's American Indian people."

In October, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota donated $10 million to the construction of the 50,000-seat stadium and an additional $2.5 million for scholarships, with a preference given to American Indian students.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota, which owns Mystic Lake Casino, has committed another $2 million for the plaza.

Tribal leaders said the decision to support the Gophers stadium was made in an effort to provide a better understanding of the history and role of Indians in the state.

The donation for scholarships -- which will be matched by the university -- should help increase enrollment by an underrepresented community.

At the beginning of last school year, there were 274 American Indians among the more than 33,000 undergraduates on the university's Twin Cities campus.

Jeff Shelman • 612-673-7478