On the wind-swept plains of South Dakota, you can almost imagine what life was like hundreds of years ago . . . at the time when the Sioux, the Očéti Šakówiŋ — Seven Council Fires called this land their own.
Their lives were lived close to the land and nature. Because of this, they felt all things – from the sun’s rays to the smallest ant – were the work of Wakaŋ Taŋka, the Great Spirit.
Today, American Indian culture is sometimes thought of as a thing of the past. However, contemporary powwows, art, and language revitalization efforts tell a different story.
As you explore our museum you will find historical information about American Indian culture — specifically the Lakota — as well as ways this rich culture is being lived, preserved, and shared today.