The building where the Akta Lakota Museum*& Cultural Center was constructed in 1968 and once served as the school on St. Joseph?s Campus. After 10 years after the building was made, students in the school started to move out from dormitories to family living units which lead the St. Joseph?s administrators to cut down the number of classes being catered.

The change actually met the student?s particular needs which eventually renovated a dormitory into a classroom space. The St. Joseph?s Indian School began a new milestone of education in 1989. After the classes began in the same year in the new building the Akto Lakota Museum and Museum took its place on the 14,180 square foot structure. The building?s circular shape gives a unique site to display the history of the Lakota people came from the ideas of Brother Bonaventure and Father Lind in the 1960?.

In May of 1999, the Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center opened its door to the general public which features a wide variety of collection of art by Lakota, Dakota and Nakota artists. Since then the Museum has strived to preserve and promote Lakota Culture.