Aktá Lakota Museum

05/03/2026

🟥 National Week of Action for Missing and Murdered Women & Relatives
May 5–9, 2026

Join us in bringing awareness to the front—honoring the lives of American Indian women, girls, and relatives who are missing or have been taken too soon.

We stand with families and communities calling for justice, visibility, and change. Together, we raise our voices and say: no more stolen sisters.

05/03/2026

🕊️ Remembering Bobby Penn
Sicangu Lakota/Omaha

Wičhápi Čik’ala (Little Star)
📍 Born: May 3, 1946 – Omaha, Nebraska
📍 Died: February 7, 1999 – Vermillion, South Dakota

Bobby Penn was one of South Dakota’s most celebrated contemporary Native American artists. A protégé of Oscar Howe, Penn painted the truth as he saw it—guided by a gift he believed came from Wakan Tanka, meant to be used, explored, and shared.

Discover more about his life and work:
🔗 https://bit.ly/3Hi85e8

Photo by Father Don Doll, SJ.

05/02/2026

🚒 Honoring Our Fallen Firefighters

Today, we pause and pay tribute to the .

We honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our communities safe. Their courage, service, and dedication will never be forgotten.

Join us in remembering those who gave their lives in the line of duty—and in honoring the families who carry their legacy forward.

05/01/2026

Looking for something to do with the kiddos? 👀

Bring them to the Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center! Explore hands-on learning, engaging exhibits, and stories that inspire curiosity for all ages.

05/01/2026

☀️ Summer Hours Begin May 1!

The Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center shifts to summer hours starting tomorrow, May 1.

Plan your visit and experience the rich history, culture, and artistry of the Northern Plains. We look forward to welcoming you!

04/30/2026

🪶 Feather Bonnet – ca. 1920, Northern Plains
Museum Bequest

Plains Indian men wore a variety of headdresses, with the eagle feather bonnet among the most recognized. Among the Sioux, these bonnets were crafted from eagle feathers attached to a leather cap.

Typically composed of thirty-six feathers—the tail feathers of three eagles—each feather held deep meaning. They were not decorative alone; they were earned through acts of bravery, honor, and courage.
Discover more stories from the collection:

🔗 https://bit.ly/3DR6UlP

04/29/2026

04/29/2026

Lakota Word Wednesday

04/29/2026

📜 This Date in American Indian History

April 29, 1868
The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868—also known as the Sioux Treaty of 1868—was signed at Fort Laramie between the United States and the Lakota, Yanktonai Dakota, and Arapaho Nation.

The treaty guaranteed the Lakota ownership of the Black Hills and secured additional land and hunting rights across present-day South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. It also closed the Powder River Country to non-Native settlement and brought an end to Red Cloud's War.

However, repeated violations of the treaty—particularly by gold prospectors entering the Black Hills—led to rising tensions. These conflicts ultimately resulted in the Black Hills War and the U.S. seizure of the Black Hills in 1877.

04/29/2026

☀️ Summer Hours Begin May 1!

Explore the stories, traditions, and artistry of the Northern Plains at the Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center.

Starting May 1, we’re open 7 days a week—making it the perfect time to plan your visit!

Make plans today:
🔗 https://aktalakota.stjo.org/visit/