Santee Sioux establish business holding company

Last week, northern Nebraska’s Santee Sioux Nation chartered Isanti LLC to grow and expand tribal-owned businesses.

The company will be led by Maunka Morgan, the younger brother of Lance Morgan, who leads the Winnebago tribe’s economic development wing, Ho-Chunk Inc.

Maunka said Isanti LLC is modeled similarly to Ho-Chunk Inc. and he says the company will eventually give the Santee access to government contracting opportunities.

The tribe operates as shareholders of Isanti LLC, which means it can receive dividends from business revenue.

“They receive dividends under an approved dividend plan, their businesses on the reservation generate tax revenue and then it creates new job opportunities for people within a community,” Maunka said.

Santee tribal chairman Alonzo Denney says he believes the decision to charter an LLC will benefit the tribe far into the future.

“The nation made a decision that is fluent in our cultural history, as thinking seven generations beyond us, for the future of our nation, our children and our children's children,” he said.

Isanti LLC will manage the tribe’s existing business, which include Tatanka Golf Club and several gas stations and convenience stores across northern Nebraska.