Great Face and Great Place – The Aktá Lakota Museum

The South Dakota Department of Tourism has once again recognized the people and programs of the Aktá Lakota Museum and Cultural Center. Wanda Bunker of Chamberlain, S.D., received the South Dakota 2021 Great Face Award, and the museum took the spotlight as a winner of the South Dakota 2021 Great Place Award.

To receive Great Face recognition, Bunker needed to be endorsed by her supervisor and several other individuals. Her large stash of thank you cards from museum visitors spoke for many that she daily goes above and beyond for people who come through the museum’s front doors. In addition, she has completed the hospitality training required for the award.   

The Great Place Award is issued to organizations that exemplify excellent service. The program is designed to identify and recognize businesses developing and completing hospitality training programs for their staff. Organizations must also recognize and reward employees for offering excellent service and find unique ways to show customer appreciation.

Reception of the South Dakota 2021 Great Place Award makes The Aktá Lakota Museum eligible for the George S. Mickelson Award presented annually at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in January.

The Aktá Lakota Museum and Cultural Center is an outreach of St. Joseph’s Indian School, located on the east bank of the Missouri River. Its name means “to honor the people,” because the museum honors and preserves the rich culture of the Lakota people, the students at St. Joseph’s Indian School and the thousands who visit the museum each year.