Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center

The Quilt — Owíŋza Exhibit
2022-06-13 - 2022-12-02 | Aktá Lakota Museum, St. Joseph's Indian School, Chamberlain, SD, 57325, United States
The Quilt – Owíŋža exhibit features quilts from 1893 to contemporary that are in the Aktá Lakota Museum’s private collection.
These quilts are a testament to the powerful tradition, aesthetic, artisanship, and resiliency of the Lakota culture. When the buffalo was at the center of Lakota life, beautifully decorated hides, often with striking circular patterns, were common. As colonialism brought about the near-extinction of the buffalo, the Lakota turned to quilt-making to replace many of the functions — both utilitarian and ceremonial — that hides performed.
The star quilt held special appeal because of its circular pattern and rhythmic repetition. “Everything the power of the world does is done in a circle,” said Lakota spiritual leader Black Elk, expressing the centrality of the circle to Lakota thought. Today the star quilt is often the centerpiece in Lakota celebrations and ceremonies. The exhibit will be on display through the end of the year.

MUSEUM MONDAY — JACE DECORYLAKOTA THOUGHTS ON EQUITY & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
2022-08-15 14:00 - 16:00 (America/North_Dakota/Center)
Jace DeCory presents the topic of Lakota thought and philosophy regarding the outlook on cultural values and the environment, including climate change, sacred Lakota sites, and environmental justice. DeCory’s presentation weaves these issues into a discussion of the concept of wólakota — being in balance with the world around us — physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
About the presenter: Jace DeCory is a Professor Emeritus in American Indian Studies, College of Liberal Arts, Black Hills State University, in Spearfish, SD. She is a Lakota elder from the Oceti Sakowin Oyate (Seven Council Fires Nation) and an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She resides in the sacred He Sapa/Paha Sapa/Black Hills in Spearfish, South Dakota.
Museum Monday is a free program that provides educational presentations in history, literature, philosophy, anthropology, and other humanities disciplines. The programs are geared toward teen and adult audiences but people of all ages are welcome to attend.
Presentations are free and held every Monday in July and August in the Museum Theater area.
Registration is recommended for large groups.
No food or drink allowed.
Service pets welcome.
For more information call 800.798.3452 or email aktalakota@stjo.org
Programming for Museum Monday is sponsored in part by the South Dakota Humanities Council.
