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We are Open!
With guidance and approval from the organization, the Aktá Lakota Museum reopened its doors on Monday, June 1. We have made several changes, listed below, to create a safe museum experience driven by social distancing measures, access to safety and sanitization equipment, and routine facility cleaning. Learn more »
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Plan Your Visit
Located in the heart of St. Joseph’s Indian School in the town of Chamberlain, South Dakota, along the banks of the beautiful and majestic Missouri River the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center tells the unique stories of the history of the Northern Plains Indian Tribes as no other museum can. We invite you to connect personally with the culture and traditions of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people through our exhibits and programs. Learn more »
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Story Time with Uŋčí and Lalá
Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá has gone virtual! Due to COVID-19 and new social distancing rules our museum Story Time is being offered as an online program every Tuesday at 10:30 AM CDT. The program is geared toward elementary age children but children young or old will enjoy stories read by elders of the Lakota and Dakota communities. Browse our bookshelf for all our favorite stories!
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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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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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Medicine Wheel Garden
Our Medicine Wheel Garden is one of our newest exhibits at the Aktá Lakota Museum. Visitors may sit in quiet meditation among the native plants listening to the sound of the Mni Wicóni (Waters of Life) or stroll around the perimeter and enjoy the Lakota directional prayers displayed on interpretive panels resembling sacred buffalo hides. Learn more »
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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 » -
Artist Biographies
Want to learn about the Native American artists? Read more »
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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 44th Annual American Indian Day & Powwow Celebration. Read more »
The Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center is Open Again!
The Aktá Lakota Museum is pleased to reopen to the public on June 1. The health and safety of our visitors is still our top priority, so we have made several changes to create a safe museum experience. These include social distancing measures, access to safety and sanitization equipment, and routine facility cleaning. Click here for more information.

Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá — September Schedule
Tuesdays: 10:30 A.M. CDT
Due to COVID-19 and new social distancing rules Story Time is being offered as an online program every Tuesday at 10:30 AM CDT. The program is geared toward elementary age children but children young or old will enjoy stories read by elders of the Lakota and Dakota communities.
Tune in each Tuesday to enjoy our favorite stories read by local elders!
September 1 — Mystic Horse by Paul Goble
September 8 — Tasunka: A Lakota Horse Legend by Donald F. Montileaux
September 15 — Phatkása Zuyá Iyáya Ké | Turtle Goes to War Recorded by Ella Deloria, Published by the Lakota Language Consortium
September 22 — Raven Brings to the People Another Gift by M. Ann Reed