Aktá Lakota Museum Welcomes “The Gift” Exhibit

(Chamberlain, S.D.) –The Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center and the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies (CAIRNS) are excited to partner in showcasing a state-of-the-art exhibit, called “The Gift.” This exhibit is currently on display through November at the Aktá Lakota Museum. Visitors can view it during normal museum hours. A virtual tour of the exhibit is in production for those who can’t travel the distance but would like to see “The Gift.”

CAIRNS organized the exhibit based on a traditional Lakota narrative into seven passages, each interpreted and illustrated by a Lakota artist. Contributing artists are; Angela Babby, Dwayne Wilcox, Renelle White Buffalo, Roger Broer, Athena LaTocha, Keith BraveHeart and Andrea Lekberg.

This exhibit also explains the seven ceremonies ⎯ “Gifts” ⎯ that Black Elk said White Buffalo Woman foretold. A Lakota musician or musical group composed a song for each gift, a Lakota poet wrote a poem, and two Lakota visual artists each created an artwork. The creative works of these 21 Lakotas constitute the Gifts section of the exhibit.

The gifts are: Wanáği Yuhápi – Keeping a Spirit; Iníkaǧapi – Revitalizing the Ghost; Haŋbléčheyapi – Crying for a Vision; Wiwáŋyaŋg Wačhipi – Sundance; Huŋkálowaŋpi – Making Relations; Išnáthi Awíčhalowaŋpi – Preparing for Womanhood; and Thápa Waŋkáyeyapi – Throwing the Ball.

CAIRNS is an Indian-controlled nonprofit research and education center committed to advancing knowledge and understanding of American Indian communities and issues important to them by developing quality educational resources and innovative projects.

The Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center was established in 1991 and is an educational outreach program of St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, S.D.  Visit Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center to find additional scheduled information.