Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center

Now on Exhibit: Real Tradish
2026-07-01 - 2026-10-31 | Aktá Lakota Museum, St. Joseph's Indian School, Chamberlain, SD, 57325, United States
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 (America/North_Dakota/Center)
🗓️ 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
