Shakopee orChief Shakopee (Dakota language:Sakpedan,lit. 'Little Six') may refer to one of at least threeMdewakanton Dakota leaders who lived in the area that becameMinnesota from the late 18th century through 1865:
The name comes from the DakotaŚakpe meaning "Six." According to tribal histories, the very first "Shakpe" was called that because he was the sixth child of a set ofsextuplets.[1]
Shakopee Lake nearMille Lacs Lake was named after one of the early Dakota chiefs named Shakpe. The city ofShakopee, Minnesota was named after Chief Shakopee II when it was first founded in 1851.[2] TheLittle Six Casino operated by theShakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community inShakopee, Minnesota is named after Chief Shakopee III.
HistorianDoane Robinson mentioned anOjibwe (Chippewa) attack "at the village of old Shakopee, the father of the Shakopee of 1812" which occurred in 1769, about one year after the Battle at Crow Wing.[3]