Prior Lake, Minnesota - The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community announces the recent approval of the donation of 11 more Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) through the Mdewakanton LIFE Program. The Mdewakanton Emergency Services Department administers the Mdewakanton LIFE Program which donates free defibrillators to organizations including law enforcement programs, charitable groups, and schools.

Two AEDs will be donated to the Ho-Chunk Nation of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. The tribe which is located primarily in Wisconsin does not have a formal reservation; however, they own 4,602 acres scattered across parts of 12 counties in Wisconsin and one county in Minnesota.

One AED will go to Little Earth of United Tribes. Located in the East Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis, Little Earth spans a nine-block area, with 212 housing units. Little Earth is home to over 900 people, including 631 lessees and nearly 300 additional individuals who share housing with family members. Ninety-eight percent of all Little Earth residents are American Indian, with two-thirds of the residents younger than 23 years of age.

Two AEDs will go to the Montgomery (Minnesota) Police Department. Montgomery, which has a population of 3,229, is located in Le Sueur County.

Two AEDs will go to the Cannon Falls Police Department. The riverside community of Cannon Falls has a population of 4,038 and is 35 miles south of Saint Paul/Minneapolis and 40 miles north of Rochester.

Two AEDs will go to the Mapleton Fire Department with another two to the Mapleton Police Department. Mapleton is located in Southern Minnesota and has a population of 1,678. The Mapleton Fire Department covers 130 square miles including the townships of Beauford, Mapleton, Sterling, Decoria, Medo, and Danville.

In May 2008, the SMSC announced the donation of 36 AEDs to local fire and police departments, schools, and other organizations.

A shock from an AED is the best way to prevent permanent damage or death if delivered in the first few minutes after collapse from sudden cardiac arrest. For years the SMSC has used defibrillators on the reservation. Mdewakanton Emergency Services and Mystic Lake Casino Hotel Security officers receive training in the use of AEDs.

"The SMSC has an active AED program here on the SMSC reservation, with defibrillators in 24 different locations,” said SMSC Director of Emergency Services Jim Muelken. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among adults in the United States. It can also affect children and teenagers. When someone collapses from sudden cardiac arrest, damage to the brain and other vital organs begins in as little as four minutes. Often the heart does not stop completely but goes into ventricular fibrillation, in which the heart quivers rapidly but does not pump blood. This is where an AED can help by restoring a normal heartbeat.

"Through the Mdewakanton LIFE Program, we have given away more than 350 defibrillators since 2004," Muelken added.

In previous years the SMSC has donated defibrillators to local schools, tribes, fire departments, nursing homes, and other organizations.

Organizations in need of an AED may write a letter to the SMSC Business Council and mail it to Mdewakanton LIFE Program, Mdewakanton Emergency Services, 2330 Sioux Trail NW, Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372. Inquiries may be made to 952-233-1077. A downloadable form is also available at www.mdfire.org.

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