The Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center

The Atká Lakota Museum & Cultural Center, an educational outreach of St. Joseph's Indian sits on the banks of the Missouri River in the heart of Chamberlain, South Dakota. Since the museum's start in 1991, thousands of visitors have experienced the powerful works of local Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota artists. A stroll through the museum is a walk through the Lakota timeline, starting with their settling on the Great Plains. Consisting of much more than displays and informational plaques, the exhibits feature video kiosks with short presentations on the lifestyle and rituals of Plains Indians.

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 showcase historical drawings of ten influential Lakota and Dakota chiefs.