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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 »
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Artist Biographies
Want to learn about the Native American artists? Read more »
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41st 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 40th Annual American Indian Day & Powwow Celebration. Read more »
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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 »
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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 » -
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 »
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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 »
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Need Directions?
Planning a road trip to the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center? Take a look at these driving directions »
News & Events
| The Lakota Moon Calendar: | |
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August Lakota Moon (August 2 August 31) — Wicokaηnaηi Wi — When the Sun Stands in the Middle Late summer, a time when all helped collect the fruits and roots necessary to survive the winter. The berries that were good and growing well two months previously begin to ripen during this month. This also meant that every growing thing was ripening and certain plants would be ready for harvest, either for food or medicine, in another month.
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| Native American Beadwork | |
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Beadwork is an art form that has a long tradition in Native American cultures. The use of glass beads by Native Americans began after contact with Europeans. It has been suggested exposure to glass beads first occurred with Christopher Columbus. Known as trade beads, pony beads and seed beads; glass beads were first manufactured in and around Venice. Glass beads come in a myriad of colors, with popular colors being blue, green, red, white, and black, and are used in weaving and appliqué techniques, although some larger beads can be strung on the ends of fringes or necklaces. All manners of items, from clothing and containers to ceremonial pieces, are decorated using beads. Beadwork continues to be created today by Native Americans using traditional methods. |
