Itówapi on Paper
2025-07-02 08:00 - 18:00 (America/North_Dakota/Center) | Aktá Lakota Museum, St. Joseph's Indian School, Chamberlain, SD, 57325, United States
Historically, paper has served as a canvas for preserving culture, documenting history, and spiritual beliefs. Contemporary artists continue to explore this medium, using it to challenge stereotypes and convey messages about identity, resilience and cultural continuity.
Itówapi on Paper exhibition presents a rich collection of American Indian artworks on paper, showcasing both historic and contemporary pieces that highlight the evolution of artistic expression within Indigenous communities. The artworks, ranging from traditional storytelling to modern interpretations and social commentary, underscore the deep significance of paper as a medium.
Visitors will engage in the layered narratives presented in each piece, appreciating how paper transcends its physical form to become vital link between past and present, tradition and innovation. This exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the power of paper as a medium for communication, connection and cultural storytelling.
Itówapi translates to picture, portrait, drawing, painting, or photograph in the Lakota language.

Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá
2025-07-08 10:30 - 11:30
📖 Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá
🗓️ Monday, July 8 | 10:30 AM
📍 Museum Bookstore – Aktá Lakota Museum
Join us for a special reading of Grandma’s Tipi: A Present-Day Lakota Story by award-winning author and artist S. D. Nelson.
This heartwarming picture book follows young Clara as she spends her first summer away from home on the Standing Rock Reservation with her Uŋčí and cousin. When her Uncle Louie arrives with a family tipi passed down through generations, Clara begins a journey of discovery, tradition, and connection. From painting spirit symbols to sleeping under the stars, the tipi becomes a powerful symbol of family and Lakota heritage.
🌟 Winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award for Children’s Picture Book
🎨 Stay after the reading for a hands-on cultural activity the whole family will enjoy!

Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá
2025-07-15 10:30 - 23:30
📖 Storytime with Uŋčí & Lalá
🗓️ Tuesday, July 15 | 10:30 AM
📍 Museum Bookstore – Aktá Lakota Museum
Join us for a special reading of Too Much — My Great Big Native Family by Laurel Goodluck, illustrated by Bridget George.
Follow young Russell as he learns that while his big, lively Native family may sometimes feel like “too much,” they’re exactly what he needs when it matters most. This heartwarming and humorous story celebrates the beauty of family, culture, and love.
🎨 After the reading, enjoy a free hands-on cultural activity — fun for the whole family!
✨ Free and open to all – no registration required!

Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá
2025-07-22 10:30 - 11:30
📖 Storytime with Uŋčí & Lalá
🗓️ Tuesday, July 22 | 10:30 AM
📍 Museum Bookstore – Aktá Lakota Museum
Join us for a monolingual reading of Šuŋgíla waŋ Náǧi Waŋgláke kiŋ | The Fox Who Saw His Own Shadow, created by the Lakota Language Consortium and illustrated by Thomas Hilley.
When Little Red goes rabbit hunting, he’s surprised to meet another fox just like him. This playful story teaches lessons about day and night—and the importance of understanding ourselves.
🎨 Stick around afterward for a free hands-on cultural activity—fun for the whole family!
✨ Free and open to all – no registration required!

Voices of the Plains
2025-07-24 - 2026-06-12
This exhibit features artwork from the Aktá Lakota Museum’s permanent collection, highlighting the creativity and resilience of artists connected to the Plains. Through a diverse range of styles, media, and generations, Voices of the Plains celebrates the depth and vibrancy of Native expression. The exhibition also reflects the museum’s ongoing commitment to honoring Indigenous voices and expanding its evolving collection.
Curated by David A. Meyer II
Featured artwork: Pride of the Prairie (c) 2017 by Alfreda Beartrack-Algeo, Lakota

Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá
2025-07-29 10:30 - 11:30
📖 Storytime with Uŋčí & Lalá
🗓️ Tuesday, July 29 | 10:30 AM
📍 Museum Bookstore – Aktá Lakota Museum
Join us for a monolingual reading of Wakíŋyaŋ Aglí – The Thunderbeings by the Lakota Language Consortium, illustrated by Marty Two Bulls.
Stormy nights can feel scary with howling winds and flashing lightning — but this beautifully told story reminds us that we’re never truly alone. A comforting tale rooted in Lakota tradition.
🎨 Stay after for a free hands-on cultural activity — perfect for families and little learners!
✨ Free and open to all – no registration required!

Holiday Open House – Shop Local!
2025-11-29 09:00 - 15:00
🎄Holiday Open House – Shop Local! 🎄
Join us on Saturday, November 29, for the Aktá Lakota Museum’s Annual Holiday Open House!Celebrate Small Business Saturday by supporting local and regional Native artists while enjoying a fun, festive shopping experience.
✨ Event Highlights:🛍️ 30% storewide discount – one day only!🎨 Free Gift Bags!☕ Refreshments🎁 Door prize drawings – no purchase necessary!
Shop local. Support Native artists. Celebrate the season with us!

Poetry on the Road
2026-01-30 17:00 - 19:00
Poetry is hitting the road in South Dakota for the third year in a row, thanks to the South Dakota State Poetry Society (SDSPS). With events taking place across the state, Poetry on the Road invites audiences to find inspiration, listen deeply, and lift their own voices.
South Dakota’s State Poet Laureate, Bruce Roseland, along with fellow SDSPS member poets and special guests, will visit the Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 5–7 p.m. The evening will feature poetry readings followed by an open mic, where attendees are invited to sign up and share their own original poems.
By bringing poetry directly to communities across the state, Poetry on the Road helps SDSPS fulfill its mission to foster the creation and appreciation of poetry that appeals to the senses, challenges the imagination, and stimulates creative and intellectual thought.
Find a Poetry on the Road Event near you HERE!
SDSPS’s Poetry on the Road is brought to you by the South Dakota State Poetry Society, the South Dakota Humanities Council, and many local sponsors.

St. Joseph’s Student Art Exhibit
2026-03-02 08:00 - 2026-03-31 16:30
In honor of National Youth Art Month in March, students of St. Joseph’s Indian School are being celebrated through a Student Art Show and Sale hosted by the Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center.
The exhibition highlights the importance of art education for all children while advocating for continued support of quality school and community art programs. It also provides St. Joseph’s students with the opportunity to present their work in a professional gallery setting.
Participation in the Student Art Show and Sale allows students to share their creativity and artistic talents with a broader audience. Throughout the exhibition, visitors may purchase artwork directly from the student artists, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the students.
A closing reception and gala will be hosted by the Aktá Lakota Museum on March 26 for participating students, their families, and staff.
The exhibition is on display in the Historical Center Gallery and will remain open to the public through March 31.
Exhibition is curated by Casey Walsh, Museum Curator.

STORY TIME WITH UŊČÍ & LALÁ
2026-06-02 10:30 - 11:30
🗓️ June 2 | 🕥 10:30 AM | 📍 Museum Bookstore | 🎟️ Free Admission
Join us for the return of Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá with a special reading of The Raccoon and the Bee Tree by Charles A. Eastman and Elaine Goodale Eastman, illustrated by Susan Turnbull. Published by the South Dakota Historical Society Press.
Set in southeastern South Dakota, this timeless story follows a curious raccoon who awakens at dusk in search of food. Drawn to the sweet honey dripping from a bee tree, he soon discovers that temptation can sometimes lead to unexpected trouble.
Originally written more than one hundred years ago, The Raccoon and the Bee Tree beautifully blends an old American Indian tale preserved by the Eastmans with a traditional European fable. Its meaningful lesson continues to resonate with children and families today.
Bring the whole family and enjoy this engaging story, followed by fun cultural activities for all ages.

STORY TIME WITH UŊČÍ & LALÁ
2026-06-09 10:30 - 11:30
🗓️ June 9 | 🕥 10:30 AM | 📍 Museum Bookstore | 🎟️ Free Admission
Perfect for all ages—especially elementary-aged children! No registration is required—just come ready for a fun and educational experience.
Experience the beauty of Lakota tradition as we share Our Sacred Land of Phežúta, a heartfelt story by Tara Perron, with illustrations by Holly Young.
Set within the blooming prairie landscape, this touching story celebrates the deep connection between people, plants, and the sacred knowledge passed down through generations. A young girl joins her grandmother on early summer mornings as they walk together in prayer, visiting the grandmother’s oldest friends—the plants of her sacred garden.
Known as phežúta, or medicines, these plants provide healing, nourishment, and wisdom to those who approach them with gratitude and respect. Along the way, grandmother and granddaughter greet plants such as Chaŋíčaȟpehu (Stinging Nettle), Čhaŋȟdóȟu (Broadleaf Plantain), and Čhaŋpȟá (Chokecherry), learning about their gifts and offering thanks through song and prayer.
Through lyrical storytelling and beautiful ledger-style artwork, Our Sacred Land of Phežúta honors the traditions of healing, respect for nature, and the importance of sharing cultural knowledge with future generations.
Join us for this meaningful reading followed by fun cultural activities for all ages.

STORY TIME WITH UŊČÍ & LALÁ
2026-06-16 10:30 - 11:30
🗓️ June 16 | 🕥 10:30 AM | 📍 Museum Bookstore | 🎟️ Free Admission
Join us for another special Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá as we share All the Stars in the Sky by Art Coulson, illustrated by Winona Nelson. Published by Simon & Schuster.
In this thoughtful and heartwarming story, young Clay asks his elisi (grandmother) to help him become “Star of the Week” at school. Instead of giving the answer he expects, she teaches him an important lesson: no one person is more important than their family or community. Clay begins to wonder where he fits in—and discovers that everyone has value and an important role to play.
With beautiful artwork inspired by traditional beadwork, All the Stars in the Sky explores themes of community, responsibility, and belonging through an Indigenous perspective. It reminds readers that while each of us shines in our own way, we are brightest when we shine together.
Perfect for all ages—especially elementary-aged children! No registration is required—just come ready for a fun and meaningful learning experience, followed by fun cultural activities.

STORY TIME WITH UŊČÍ & LALÁ
2026-06-23 10:30 - 11:30
🗓️ June 23 | 🕥 10:30 AM | 📍 Museum Bookstore | 🎟️ Free Admission
Join us for another special Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá as we share Dance in a Buffalo Skull by Zitkala-Ša, illustrated by S. D. Nelson, and published by the South Dakota Historical Society Press.
This engaging children’s book is a retelling of a traditional Lakota story. Inside a dried buffalo skull, a group of lively field mice dances and celebrates, unaware that danger waits nearby in the form of a prowling wildcat.
Through vivid storytelling and striking illustrations, Dance in a Buffalo Skull shares important lessons about awareness, safety, and survival on the Great Plains. At the same time, it celebrates storytelling traditions and the vibrant life of the prairie after dark.
Perfect for all ages—especially elementary-aged children! No registration is required—just come ready for a fun and educational experience. Reading is followed by interactive cultural activities for all to enjoy.

STORY TIME WITH UŊČÍ & LALÁ
2026-06-30 10:30 - 11:30
🗓️ June 30 | 🕥 10:30 AM | 📍 Museum Bookstore | 🎟️ Free Admission
Join us for a special Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá as we share Powwow Day by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight, and published by Charlesbridge.
In this heartfelt contemporary story, young River is recovering from a serious illness and is unable to dance at the powwow as she has every year before. As powwow day arrives, River wonders if she will ever dance again.
Through River’s journey, readers discover the healing power of family, culture, music, and community support. Powwow Day is a touching and hopeful story that celebrates resilience while highlighting the importance of traditions that bring people together.
This beautifully illustrated book also introduces young readers to the history and significance of powwows—gatherings held across the United States and Canada.
Perfect for all ages—especially children ages 4–8! No registration is required—just come ready for a fun and meaningful learning experience. The story is followed by an interactive cultural activity for all to enjoy.

Now on Exhibit: Real Tradish
2026-07-01 - 2026-10-31
Modernity Meets Tradition: Real Tradish explores the intersection of modernity and traditional Lakota ways. The exhibit features work that bridges past and present—through the application of traditional techniques and symbolism to modern materials, themes, and imagery. Together, these pieces affirm that Lakota traditions are not gone; they are living practices that continue to adapt, endure, and thrive in the 21st century.
Curated by Casey Walsh, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions
Featured Artwork: Untitled – Self Portrait © 1988; Daniel Long Soldier, Oglala Lakota.

Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá
2026-07-07 10:30 - 11:30
🗓️ July 7 | 🕥 10:30 AM | 📍 Museum Bookstore | 🎟️ Free Admission
The Aktá Lakota Museum invites families and visitors of all ages to join us for another special edition of Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá on Tuesday, July 7.
This week’s featured book is The Forever Sky by Thomas Peacock, illustrated by Annette S. Lee, and published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.
In this touching and beautifully illustrated story, brothers Niigaanii and Bineshiinh find comfort after the loss of their grandmother, Nooko, by listening to stories shared beneath the night sky. As they gaze at the stars with their uncle, they learn that the sky is filled with meaning, memory, and spirit.
Night after night, the boys discover stories among the constellations—seeing animals, pathways, and connections between the earth and sky. When the northern lights begin to dance overhead, they realize the spirits of loved ones are among them, reminding them that those we love are never truly gone.
The Forever Sky is a heartfelt story about family, remembrance, culture, and the teachings found in the natural world. Perfect for readers of all ages—especially children ages 4–8—it encourages reflection, imagination, and connection through Indigenous storytelling traditions.
Following the reading, guests are invited to participate in interactive cultural activities designed for the whole family to enjoy. Stickers will also be available for everyone attending.
No registration is required—just come ready for a fun and meaningful learning experience at Aktá Lakota Museum.

Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá
2026-07-14 10:30 - 11:30
🗓️ July 14 | 🕥 10:30 AM | 📍 Museum Bookstore | 🎟️ Free Admission
Join the Aktá Lakota Museum for another engaging summer morning of storytelling, culture, and family fun during Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá on Tuesday, July 14.
This week’s featured book is Native American Twelve Days of Christmas by Gary Robinson, illustrated by Jesse T. Hummingbird, and published by 7th Generation.
Inspired by the beloved traditional English carol The Twelve Days of Christmas, this unique adaptation celebrates the rich diversity of Native American cultures and traditions from across the United States. Each “day” highlights gifts and cultural teachings connected to twelve different Native American cultural groups, offering readers a meaningful and educational journey through Indigenous traditions.
The book also includes easy-to-understand cultural background information for each featured gift, helping readers better understand the traditions, stories, and histories behind the adapted lyrics. This beautifully illustrated story serves as a wonderful companion to the popular Native American Night Before Christmas.
Following the reading, children and guests are invited to participate in interactive cultural activity designed for the whole family to enjoy. Stickers will also be available for everyone attending.
Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá is free and open to all ages. No registration is required—just come ready for a fun and meaningful learning experience celebrating Native American stories, traditions, and community connections.

Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá
2026-07-21 10:30 - 11:30
🗓️ July 21 | 🕥 10:30 AM | 📍 Museum Bookstore | 🎟️ Free Admission
Join the Aktá Lakota Museum for another meaningful morning of storytelling, culture, and family fun during Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá on Tuesday, July 21.
This week’s featured book is How the Birds Got Their Songs by Marcus Ammesmaki and Travis Zimmerman, illustrated by Sam Zimmerman, and published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.
This treasured traditional story, shared in both English and Ojibwe, tells how the Great Spirit gave each bird its unique and beautiful song. Long ago, when Mother Earth was still young, the Great Spirit noticed how quiet the world seemed. Wanting to fill the earth with music, he gathered all the birds and challenged them to a contest: whichever bird could fly the highest would receive the prettiest song.
Passed down through author Travis Zimmerman’s family, this story shares traditional knowledge from the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The vibrant illustrations by Grand Portage descendant Sam Zimmerman beautifully capture the movement and spirit of the birds, while Marcus Ammesmaki’s Ojibwemowin retelling encourages readers and language learners alike to connect with Indigenous language and storytelling traditions.
Perfect for children and families, this engaging story invites readers to appreciate the beauty of nature, the importance of humility, and the gift of birdsong all around us.
Following the reading, guests are invited to participate in interactive cultural activities designed for the whole family to enjoy. Stickers will also be available for everyone attending.
No registration is required—just come ready for a fun and meaningful learning experience celebrating American Indian storytelling and culture.

Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá
2026-07-28 10:30 - 11:30
🗓️ July 28 | 🕥 10:30 AM | 📍 Museum Bookstore | 🎟️ Free Admission
Join the Aktá Lakota for the final Story Time with Uŋčí & Lalá of the summer season on Tuesday, July 28.
This week’s featured book is Halhata na Thathanka | Magpie and Buffalo, written and illustrated by Lakota author and artist Alfreda Beartrack Algeo, translated by Violet Catches and published by the South Dakota Historical Society Press.
This beautifully illustrated bilingual board book serves as a meaningful introduction for young children to the important role the American bison—commonly known as the buffalo—has played in Lakota life and culture. Through simple storytelling and engaging artwork, readers follow Magpie (Halhata) as she teaches about the many ways Buffalo (Thathanka) provided for the Lakota people throughout history, offering food, clothing, shelter, and materials used in ceremonies and everyday life.
With Lakota translations by Violet Catches, the book also introduces children and families to Lakota language and terminology, making it both an educational and cultural learning experience for readers of all ages.
Perfect for young children and families, this special Story Time celebrates the connection between the Lakota people, language, storytelling, and the buffalo—an animal deeply respected throughout the Northern Plains.
Following the reading, guests are invited to participate in interactive cultural activities designed for the whole family to enjoy. Stickers will also be available for everyone attending.
No registration is required—just come ready for a fun and meaningful learning experience celebrating American Indian storytelling, language, and culture.

"Americans"
2026-11-07 08:00 - 2027-01-07 16:30
The South Dakota Humanities Council is bringing Americans, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition to the Aktá Lakota Museum for an exclusive tour in 2026!
Based on a major exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, Americans explores how deeply intertwined American Indians are in the culture of the United States.
American Indians are less than 1% of the population, yet images of Indians are everywhere. American Indian images, names, and stories infuse American history and contemporary life. Pervasive, powerful, at times demeaning, the images, names, and stories reveal how Indians have been embedded in unexpected ways in the history, pop culture, and identity of the United States.
Americans surrounds visitors with images and objects from popular culture and delves into these historical events. The exhibition invites visitors to explore this complicated history and to share local stories about Native American history, culture and identity.
South Dakota Host and Partner Sites.
September 12 – October 31, 2026 – SDSU Briggs Library, Brookings
November 7, 2026 – January 9, 2027 – Aktá Lakota Museum, St. Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlain
January 16 – March 6, 2027 – The Heritage Center, Red Cloud Indian School, Pine Ridge
March 13 – May 1, 2027 – AH Brown Library, Scherr Howe Event Center, Mobridge
May 8 – June 26, 2027 – W.H. Over Museum, USD, Vermillion
