Every Tuesday, something special happens at the Aktá Lakota Museum and Cultural Center, an outreach of St. Joseph’s Indian School. The museum, usually a quiet place, begins humming with the voices of students, educators and community members as they gather for a special tradition — story time.
But this isn’t just any reading session. It’s a moment where Native American authors’ voices shine, where culture is preserved one page at a time and where the next generation of storytellers learns the power of their own voices.
A Space for Learning and Connection
The books chosen highlight themes of Native American identity, resilience and tradition, reinforcing values deeply rooted in Lakota (Sioux) culture. As students listen, they absorb more than words; they internalize lessons passed down through generations and enjoy modern stories for today’s world. Through picture books filled with vibrant Lakota symbols and illustrations, each session directly links students to contemporary voices shaping Indigenous literature.
The 2025 Reading List includes:
📖 June 17: The Land of the Great Turtle by Brad Wagnon
📖 June 24: Do You Like to Dance? by the Lakota Language Consortium
📖 July 1: Please Don’t Step on Me by Elly Kree-George
📖 July 8: Grandma’s Tipi: A Present-Day Lakota Story by S.D. Nelson
📖 July 15: Too Much: My Great Big Native Family by Laurel Goodluck
📖 July 22: The Fox Who Saw His Own Shadow by the Lakota Language Consortium
📖 July 29: The Thunderbeings by the Lakota Language Consortium
Engagement Beyond the Pages
The magic of story time doesn’t end with the last page of each book. Every session features a hands-on craft or activity, allowing children to creatively interact with the story’s themes. By engaging in these activities, young learners retain the lessons of the tales and develop a deeper appreciation for Lakota traditions.
“Storytelling plays a vital role in preserving Lakota culture and traditions,” says Dixie, museum director. “Traditionally, it served as a living bridge between generations, passing down language, values, history and spiritual teachings.”
Children and families have embraced this program wholeheartedly, many returning week after week to take part in the experience. To encourage participation, the museum has introduced a certificate program — each child earns a sticker for every session attended, and those who complete the entire summer program receive a special gift, a token of their journey in cultural discovery.
As students gather each week, they are part of something bigger — a continuation of oral history, adapted and shared through books written by those who understand their heritage firsthand.
“Through stories, cultural identity is strengthened, and the wisdom of ancestors is kept alive in a meaningful way,” said Dixie.
To learn more and participate in a story time event, visit the Aktá Lakota Museum and Cultural Center every Tuesday between 10:30-11:30 a.m.
