Travel and Akta Lakota Museum

Today, we left Milwaukee bright and early. We got to see a beautiful sunrise as we headed west out of town. We traveled most of the day before stopping at the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center in Chamberlain, South Dakota. The museum is housed at St. Joseph's Indian School, which is run by the Priests of the Sacred Heart. Here, we toured an exhibit detailing the history, culture and traditions of the Lakota people. It was a fascinating learning experience. On a side note, we learned the meaning for the word "Kinnikinnic". According to a display in the museum, tobacco would be "mixed with sumac leaves and the dried inner bark of red alder, dogwood, or red willow." Living in Milwaukee, I've always wondered what this term means. Now, I know. We spent a couple hours at the museum before heading to Pierre to spend the night.Read more