Native Waters: Sharing the Source

The Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center at St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain is proud to host Native Waters: Sharing the Source, a new traveling exhibition and film exploring the Missouri River Basin.

Developed by the Native Waters Project at Montana State University–Bozeman in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota, this exhibition brings together voices from 22 tribal communities across the Basin. Together, they share vital perspectives on water—blending Indigenous knowledge with scientific understanding.

The exhibit features engaging, hands-on displays, cultural objects, and a thought-provoking film designed to deepen our appreciation of water from both environmental and spiritual viewpoints.

Highlights include:

• A series of interpretive text panels that connect traditional ecological knowledge with modern science

• Four interactive stations:

  • Missouri River LED Map

  • What is a Watershed?

  • Non-Point Source Pollution Marble Game

  • Which Watershed Is Better for the River?

• A 30-minute documentary film: A Dream for Water

This unique experience invites all visitors to reflect on the shared responsibility of protecting our water sources and honoring the relationships that sustain life.