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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

Horse Nation of the Očhéthi akówiŋ

On Exhibit … Horse Nation of the Očhéthi akówiŋ

November 19, 2018 - March 29, 2019
Aktá Lakota Museum Gallery
Free Exhibition

“Horse Nation of the Očhéthi akówiŋ” explores how horses shape the history, spirituality, and culture of the Dakhóta, Nakhóta, and Lakȟóta (Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota) people, collectively known as the Očhéthi akówiŋ (Seven Council Fires). Horses serve as allies in hunting and in battle, but are revered for more than their utility. Horses were, and still are, recognized as relatives and are vital members of the community. The exhibition features more than 20 artworks — including paintings, textiles, film, and beadwork — by leading contemporary Native American artists. This exhibition is part of a larger look at Horse Nation, including an exhibition at the Minnesota Institute of Art (June 10, 2018 February 3, 2019).

Organized by The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School with support from Red Cloud Indian School, Inc., The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, South Dakota Humanities Council, Black Hills Community Foundation, Joyce Dobbert, Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies, and Racing Magpie LLC.