At the Aktá Lakota Museum and Cultural Center, tradition is not only preserved—it is lived. Recently, staff members Linnea and Casey came together to bring that spirit to life through the painting of a new museum tipi, blending artistic skill with deep cultural meaning.
Working carefully by hand, the two artists applied each element of the design with intention, transforming the canvas into a powerful visual story rooted in Lakota tradition. What began as a blank surface soon became a meaningful representation of the Lakota beliefs and traditions.
Linnea and Casey work side by side on the large-scale tipi canvas, bringing the design to life.
The upper portion of the tipi is painted with a traditional black band, symbolizing the sky. Within this band are unpainted hocoka—sacred circles representing stars or constellations. These elements hold spiritual significance, reflecting the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. As light passes through the unpainted circles, the interior of the tipi is illuminated, creating a soft, stained-glass effect.
Encircling the tipi beneath the sky band is a second ring that follows the Lakota lunar calendar. Here, the moon moves through its 28 phases, marking the passage of time in harmony with nature and reinforcing the importance of seasonal cycles in Lakota life.
At the base of the tipi, the design shifts to the earth. Painted in the school’s colors of blue and yellow, this section grounds the piece in both place and identity. Traditional curved mounds—often symbolic of sacred places for prayer—have been thoughtfully reimagined as the stepped form of the Black Hills. Known as the birthplace of the Lakota nation, the Black Hills remain a spiritual home for many, including the students of St. Joseph’s Indian School.
Together, these elements create more than a design—they tell a story of connection: to the sky, to the earth and to generations of Lakota tradition. Through the work of Linnea and Casey, the tipi stands as a vibrant reminder that culture is not static, but continuously renewed through care, creativity and respect.
Visitors to the Aktá Lakota Museum will have the opportunity to experience this beautiful work firsthand—an enduring symbol of tradition brought to life in our new outdoor exhibit.