Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center

The Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center is the only American Indian center of its kind. The facility is more than a traditional museum because it tells the significant story of the lives of the Northern Plains Indian peoples, their cultures, traditions, values, and history.

The cultural center opened in 1991 on the campus of St. Joseph’s Indian School. The words Aktá Lakota meaning to honor the people, were chosen because the museum is truly intended to honor and preserve the rich Lakota culture for the students at St. Joseph’s Indian School and for the thousands that visit each year.

The museum’s collection features contemporary art, historical artifacts and educational displays depicting the proud heritage of the Lakota people. Their story is told through interactive displays, English-Lakota descriptions, and continues in the Gift Shop which provides local artists a venue to market their work.

Much of the museum’s original collection came from gifts given to St. Joseph’s by alumni and friends since the school opened in 1927. Since the museum opened in May 1991, many new pieces have been acquired. Each year we continue to add relevant pieces to the collection. In addition, the outside walls show case historical drawings of ten influential Lakota and Dakota chiefs.