Hocokata ti (Cultural Center), Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

Hocokata ti (Cultural Center)

Location

Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

Overview

Concepts and construction documents were developed that ultimately integrated the Cultural Center building into a larger campus site containing water features, restored prairie areas, and gathering spaces for educational, recreational, and interpretive opportunities.

The SMSC needed a gathering space large enough to accommodate their growing community and provide space for members during council meetings and events. The tribe also had an extensive inventory of cultural artifacts with no space to display and share the story of their history and culture.

Bolton & Menk was part of an integrated design team who assisted the community with site selection and developed a plan for accommodation of future campus needs. The team worked with community members and the SMSC Business Council to establish a budget for phased construction of site elements. We developed concepts and construction documents integrating access to restored prairie and wetland areas, water features, and gathering spaces for educational, recreational, and interpretive opportunities.
A ribbon cutting for the completed Hocokata ti was held in July 2019, with additional site improvements completed in 2020.

Additional site features were added in 2022, when SMSC asked the team to develop a gathering area for their Youth Camp northwest of the cultural center facility. Our relationship with SMSC and Hocokata ti staff has assisted in guiding landscape establishment and has allowed for conversations about future features to continue meeting the community’s ongoing needs.

Awards
  • Finance & Commerce – 2019 Top Project
  • American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota – 2019 Honor Award
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