Welcome

Sioux Manufacturing Corporation (SMC) is a small business wholly owned and managed by the Dakotah people of the Spirit Lake Nation, a federally recognized Native American Indian tribe. Located in the community of Fort Totten in Benson County of northeast North Dakota, the Company was originally incorporated in 1973 under the name, Devils Lake Sioux Manufacturing Corporation (DLSMC) at a time when the desire for self-determination was at the forefront among leaders in the Native American community and at a time when the population on the reservation was growing, job opportunities were scarce and the economic condition and quality of life for many families in the community were dependent on Government funded social programs.

The creation of DLSMC was part of a solution implemented by the leaders of the Tribe in cooperation with many dedicated public servants, legislators at the state and Federal levels and private large business industry partners. True to the mission and goals collectively set forth by these interested parties, over five thousand individuals would ultimately earn a DLSMC/SMC paycheck at one time or another as a result of their vision and efforts.

The first products manufactured at the Fort Totten plant were camouflage screen systems. The first units were delivered to the Army in the spring of 1974 less than three months after the Company activated the assembly line. In the years since many different types of complex, high quality products have been manufactured and delivered to the Government earning the Company numerous awards and a reputation as one of the most successful Native American owned and operated manufacturing businesses in the United States to grow out of the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Program.

SMC is proud of its status as member of the Defense Industrial Base and its owners and staff are keenly aware of the importance of the role the Company plays as key contributor in an industrial supply chain that provides critical Military supplies to the warfighters that serve and defend the Nation. As well, SMC’s employees recognize the importance of their personal obligations as members of the essential infrastructure workforce as designated Departments of Defense and proud of their contributions toward the enhancement of the quality of life for their families and community at large.

About Our Logo

When the Tribe assumed full ownership of the Company in 1989, Devils Lake was dropped from the Corporation’s name but the original logo remained in use after the transition. The distinctive logo was inspired by the desire for self-determination and vision of elders of the Spirit Lake Tribe and realized in the artwork of a young Dakotah man. Over the past five decades, the logo has been applied to numerous products including camouflage nets, helmets, ballistic panels, ablative liners and numerous other composite parts and structures that were ultimately incorporated into Military equipment and deployed with U.S. and friendly foreign land forces in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and in Naval vessels at sea. Consistent with the quality culture cultivated over the years, SMC takes pride in the fact that logo doesn’t go on until it has been demonstrated through rigid inspection and testing, that the product meets the exacting form, fit and functional requirements specified by the customer.

SMC’s logo embodies three elements that have strong traditional meanings and cultural significance for indigenous and non-native peoples alike.

Lighting

A symbol of the most powerful natural forces in the universe, the lightning bolt represents the pride SMC places in the quality of the products it produces and the pride of the people of the Spirit Lake Nation.

Horse

Circle

Our story is one of success borne out the hard work, determination, vision and our Company stands as an example of what is possible when the energies of many individuals from diverse backgrounds, are focused on common goals for the betterment of all. SMC is a well-established, versatile, minority-owned company offering a full range of defense disciplines – quality assurance, manufacturing engineering and configuration management. SMC has the production and testing capabilities, experience, technical knowledge to deliver competitively priced composite products to meet your specifications.

Indian Incentive Program (IIP)

The DoD’s Indian Incentive Program provides for payment of 5 percent of the amount subcontracted to an Indian organization or Indian-owned enterprise when authorized under the terms of a contract. DoD contracts with prime contractors that contain FAR Clause 52.226-1, Utilization of Indian Organizations and Indian Owned Economic Enterprises (subject to funding availability and with limitations for commercial items) are eligible for incentive payments under the program. Eligible recipients include large business and small business contractors to the DoD that utilize Indian-owned businesses or enterprises as subcontractors. (For additional information regarding the IIP, visit DoD Office of Small Business Programs website.)

If your requirements are for quality composite armor or ablative liners or any of the services SMC can provide, we invite to read our story, learn about who we are, what we’re about, what we do and how we can help you meet your product needs and small business subcontracting goals.