Akta Lakota Sioux Museum and Cultural Center

Located in the heart of Sioux country on the banks of the Missouri River is one of the most culturally rich places to visit in the Midwest. The Akta Lakota Museum at St. Joseph's Indian School ("Akta Lakota" means "to honor the people") is an educational outreach of the school that strives to preserve and promote Sioux culture.  saintjosephs@stjo.org

The Akta Lakota Museum is a tribute to the Sioux nation that offers visitors a rare and fascinating glimpse into the Lakota culture.

This quality Native American experience stems from the Akta Lakota Museum being the only Native American cultural center of its kind. St. Joseph’s Indian School has acquired this rare collection of art and artifacts through gifts received from alumni and friends since the school opened its doors in 1927.
Monday June 16 - Yankton, SD to Pierre, SD -- One of the most striking things we saw today was the Grand Detour, or Big Bend, which is something like 30 miles around but only 2000 yards across the neck. Clark wrote about this phenomenon on Sept. 20, 1804 : “Detached 3 men across the big bend with the horse to stay and hunt and jerk provisions until we got around. Passed and Island on the Starboard side, the river crowded with sand bars.” (Moulton 3, 92).
This is a model of a Pronghorn. The French traders called it Cabri, Lewis and clark called it goat or antelope. Modern scientists say it is neither, but its own breed.
Here is Hazel displayin our flag at Bad River. She stands by a stone commemorating L&C's confrontation with the Teton Sioux Indians in August, 1804. The text of the stone includes the line: The American Flag was first displayed in this area by Lewis and Clark. We like to make our own commemorations of significant L&C sites by displaying their flag.
The end of the day brought us to south Dakota's capital Pierre (pronounced "peer"). Here we toured the great state interpretive center, which is built completely under a hill. This is one of the finest museums along the way, with great displays chronicling the entire history of South Dakota.