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  • Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center

    About Us

    The Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center, an educational outreach of St. Joseph’s Indian School, is committed to promoting the knowledge and understanding of the Northern Plains Indian Culture past, present and future, through the preservation of historical artifacts and contemporary works of art. Read more »

  • Native American Artists

    Artist Biographies

    Want to learn about the Native American artists? Read more »

  • St. Joseph's Indian School's American Indian Day and Powwow

    42nd Annual Powwow

    As an outreach program of St. Joseph's Indian School, the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center will be offering cultural activities with our 42nd Annual American Indian Day & Powwow Celebration. Read more »

  • Native American works of art

    Gift Shop

    The Akta Lakota Museum offers a wide selction of unique, Indian made, items for purchase. All sales are used to fund programs for the Lakota children in our care at St. Joseph's Indian School. Shop our store »

  • ALM Historical Center

    Historical Center

    St. Joseph's Indian School's Alumni & Historical Center was dedicated in May 2013.
    Tokéya uŋkí nájiŋpi (We Stood Here in the Beginning) will preserve the memories of St. Joseph’s Indian School and share accomplishments of the students, religious staff and benefactors. Read more »

  • Listing of South Dakota area powwows

    Area Powwows

    A wacipi - powwow - is a Native American gathering focused on dance, song and family celebration. It celebrates the connections to tradition and spirituality, to the Earth and to one another in a social, personal and spiritual meeting. View the listing of South Dakota area powwows »

  • Lakota-Language.png

    Speak Lakota

    We invite you to learn basic phrases and words of the Lakota language with the students at St. Joseph's Indian School. Read more »

  • ALM billboard in Chamberlain, SD

    Need Directions?

    Planning a road trip to the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center? Take a look at these driving directions »

News & Events

The Warm Moons

Blokétu — The Warm Moons (Summer)

During summer, the camp circle followed the migrating buffalo and moved often. Women worked to maintain the camp and were responsible for transporting and unpacking the family’s belongings; they also prepared food and made and set up tipis. Girls helped gather firewood and water and received instruction in quill-work decoration. Boys practiced their hunting skills on small animals. Men made weapons, hunted for game and defended the camp. Summer was also a time of celebrations and ceremonies. Learn more!
Takuwe now on Exhibit!

Takuwe — Asking Why on Exhibit!

"Takuwe," which in English means "why," centers on 1890 Massacre of 300 Lakotas on December 29, 1890. Developed by the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies (CAIRNS), the exhibit opened on June 11 and will on display through October.

The narrative structure of "Takuwe" is based on the words of Lakotas who were there in 1890 and 1891. Their recollections and reflections guide visitors through the exhibition in seven chronological periods:

  • BELIEF expresses the spiritual context of the Ghost Dance.
  • ASSASSINATION focuses on the early morning killing of Sitting Bull on December 15, 1890.
  • TREK covers the journey of Spotted Elk and his people from along the Cheyenne River toward Red Cloud’s community in Pine Ridge Reservation.
  • MASSACRE portrays the senseless killing of innocent Lakota children, women and men on Monday, December 29, 1890, at Wounded Knee.
  • INTERVAL covers the period of time from immediately after the massacre through January 2, 1891.
  • INTERMENT concentrates on January 3-4, 1891 and the burial of the Lakotas whose bodies remained on the site in a mass, unmarked grave.
  • PROPOSAL, the final section, offers an opportunity to reflect on the complex legacy of the massacre and looks forward to the ways in which Lakota citizens and tribes will continue to commemorate Wounded Knee.

Takuwe will be on exhibit through October 22, 2018. An exhibit reception is scheduled for July 13, 2018 from 4:00 7:00 pm.