Community Calendar

The Journey Museum is pleased to announce the opening of an exciting new exhibition, Where Eagles Soar, on October 11, 2024. The family friendly exhibition is free to the public in the Adelstein Gallery through May 25th, 2025. The exhibition includes twenty paintings from the collection of the Sioux Indian Museum. Lakota artist S.D. Nelson created these paintings to illustrate the book Wings of an Eagle. Written by Billy Mills and Janell Brown, the book tells the story of Billy Mills, a ground breaking Oglala Lakota athlete and the only American to win an Olympic Gold medal in the 10,000 meters.

Billy Mills, also known by his Lakota name Tamakhóčhe Theȟíla, is best known for winning a gold medal in the 10,000-meter run at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. His victory is considered one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history, as Mills was a relatively unknown runner at the time and the first (and only) American to win gold in the 10,000 meters. Born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation, Mills overcame significant personal challenges, including poverty and the loss of both parents at a young age. A U.S. Marine Corps officer at the time of his Olympic triumph, Mills has since become a prominent advocate for Native American rights and youth sports programs. His life story was dramatized in the 1983 film Running Brave, and he continues to inspire generations with his message of perseverance and hope.

S.D. Nelson is an award-winning Lakota artist and author who has illustrated over 15 books. His work often depicts the imagery of the open prairies where S.D. spent his childhood summers, with expansive skies, towering clouds, and endless seas of grasslands. Combining timeless Lakota stories with contemporary art, his books have captivated audiences both young and old for over twenty years. A member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, spent his childhood summers on the Standing Rock Reservation. During this time, his mother told him the traditional Lakota stories that would become the subjects of his books. S.D. spent 26 years as a teacher in the Flagstaff public schools before his first book Gift Horse, a Lakota Story, was published in 1999.

Story Time
Story Time introduces your child to the incredible world of language and books through stories, songs, and activities. This program is designed to help prepare your child for successful school experiences using early literacy components and is a great opportunity for your child to develop social skills and make friends. Topics and themes change each program. Story time generally lasts 30 minutes and no registration required. Caregivers are expected to attend.
When: Every other Wednesday, starting January 15th through March 26th
Time: 10:00-10:30AM Age: 2-5yrs Registration: No registration required

Come to the Sturgis Public Library on Wednesday April 30th, at 11am for PreK Storytime for ages 3-6. Celebrate literacy with movement, stories and crafts every Wednesday with Miss Sierra.

2025 ARTS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

This year’s Arts Leadership Institute will be held on April 29-30, 2025, in Sioux Falls. Come together with arts leaders, trainers, and panelists from across South Dakota to learn more about how you can develop your organization’s audience by providing accessible experiences developed in collaboration with your community. You won’t want to miss this opportunity!

The Act of Remembering:Who do you see? by Anissa Pietzyk, University of South Dakota Freshmen presents her IdeaFest project. Pietzyk creates photograms and poetry that reflection upon memory and place. This exibit displayed on the 2nd floor of the Muenster Student Center on the campus of the Univeristy of South Dakota and is free and open to the public. questions? contact [email protected]

Rare Jefferson Peace Medal Exhibit at Mead Museum

An original 220-year old Jefferson Peace Medal on loan to the Mead Museum is on display as part of the Journeying Forward: Connecting Cultures exhibit. The 4-inch Jefferson Peace Medal is extremely rare and a historically significant artifact from the early 19th century.
The peace medals were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson as part of diplomatic efforts with Native American tribes, serving as symbols of goodwill and alliance between the U.S. government and Indigenous leaders. The Lewis & Clark Expedition handed out 89 of them to leaders of Native Nations on their journey between 1804-1806. This medal is one of less than 5 on display in the world!
In addition to the peace medal, the Journeying Forward exhibit also had an upgrade in its history of the Ihanktonwan and Oceti Sakowin Nations, an important narrative to Yankton regional history.
The Mead Museum is located at 82 Mickelson Dr in Yankton SD. The Museum is open weekdays 10AM to 5PM and on Saturdays/Sundays from 1PM to 5PM.

Join us at the library as we celebrate El Día del Niño, a special day dedicated to children and families! This event brings together the Aberdeen community to honor the Hispanic tradition of Children’s Day in a fun and welcoming space. There will be stories, games for all ages, snacks, and more. Come celebrate culture, community, and childhood with us. Everyone is welcome!
When: Wednesday, April 30th
Time: 5:00PM – 7:00PM
Age: General/Family
Registration: No registration required.

You are invited to join us for "JAM!"
Jesus And Me activities for the whole family!
Dinner starts the evening at 5:30 PM, and at 6:00 PM, the kids start their KidRock activities. Adults are invited to Bible study.
If you are interested in singing, our choir meets directly after the activities at 7:00 PM in our sanctuary.
Please reach out if you have any questions! We look forward to "JAMming" with you!

Back to Basics Yoga
Have you always wanted to try yoga, but don’t know where to begin? Join us for this gentle flow class that is perfect for newbies. Whether you are looking to improve your flexibility, reduce stress, or simply try something new, this class is a great starting point. There's no need to register or pay a fee, just bring your own mat as we have a limited number available. Come as you are and embark on your yoga journey with us every Wednesday evening!
When: Every Wednesday, starting Wednesday, January 8th, 2025
Time: 7:00-8:00PM
Age: General/Adult
Registration: No registration required

The Journey Museum is pleased to announce the opening of an exciting new exhibition, Where Eagles Soar, on October 11, 2024. The family friendly exhibition is free to the public in the Adelstein Gallery through May 25th, 2025. The exhibition includes twenty paintings from the collection of the Sioux Indian Museum. Lakota artist S.D. Nelson created these paintings to illustrate the book Wings of an Eagle. Written by Billy Mills and Janell Brown, the book tells the story of Billy Mills, a ground breaking Oglala Lakota athlete and the only American to win an Olympic Gold medal in the 10,000 meters.

Billy Mills, also known by his Lakota name Tamakhóčhe Theȟíla, is best known for winning a gold medal in the 10,000-meter run at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. His victory is considered one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history, as Mills was a relatively unknown runner at the time and the first (and only) American to win gold in the 10,000 meters. Born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation, Mills overcame significant personal challenges, including poverty and the loss of both parents at a young age. A U.S. Marine Corps officer at the time of his Olympic triumph, Mills has since become a prominent advocate for Native American rights and youth sports programs. His life story was dramatized in the 1983 film Running Brave, and he continues to inspire generations with his message of perseverance and hope.

S.D. Nelson is an award-winning Lakota artist and author who has illustrated over 15 books. His work often depicts the imagery of the open prairies where S.D. spent his childhood summers, with expansive skies, towering clouds, and endless seas of grasslands. Combining timeless Lakota stories with contemporary art, his books have captivated audiences both young and old for over twenty years. A member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, spent his childhood summers on the Standing Rock Reservation. During this time, his mother told him the traditional Lakota stories that would become the subjects of his books. S.D. spent 26 years as a teacher in the Flagstaff public schools before his first book Gift Horse, a Lakota Story, was published in 1999.