For most people traveling through South Dakota, natural wonders like the Black Hills and the Badlands serve as the main attraction. But to truly immerse yourself in the area, it’s also worth taking the time to learn a little about the people who have shaped it: the Native American communities of South Dakota.
A stop at the Aktá Lakota Museum and Cultural Center isn’t just a learning opportunity. It’s a chance to see your trip through a whole new lens.
“A lot of people tell us we’re the best kept secret in South Dakota,” said Dixie Thompson, the museum’s director. “We’re always trying to introduce people to American Indian culture.”
An immersive experience
An outreach program for St. Joseph’s Indian School, the Aktá Lakota Museum and Cultural Center serves as an inside look into how Native American communities have shaped South Dakota - both in the past and in the present day.
Focusing on Native American communities of the Northern Plains, the Aktá Lakota Museum features artifacts and exhibits you won’t find at similar museums.
The museum’s experience begins by showcasing the history and culture of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people beginning before contact with Europeans.
As visitors make their way through the museum, they’ll learn about the impact of traders, settlers, missionaries and broken government treaties on Native American communities and life on South Dakota’s reservations.
