The National Music Museum and the Institute of American Indian Studies at the University of South Dakota will celebrate Native American Heritage Month during Discovery Saturday on November 1 with a morning of storytelling, music, and dance featuring Lakota elder Jerome Kills Small (Sisoka Luta) and the Sungmanitu Oyate drum group and dancers.

At 10:30 a.m., Kills Small will lead Music Storytime for Kids, followed by an adult drum and storytelling program at 11:30 a.m. in the Janet L. Wanzek Performance Hall. Then at 12:15 p.m., the drum group and dancers from Sungmanitu Oyate will perform on the museum’s front lawn. A light lunch will be provided for those attending.

Steeped in the history of his people—the Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge Reservation—Kills Small is dedicated to sharing traditional knowledge and the spiritual ways of the Lakota. Known for his craftsmanship, he creates fine drums and grows time-honored foods and medicines. Through his storytelling, Kills Small keeps tradition alive for future generations.

Throughout the day, visitors can also explore Native American instruments on display in the NMM’s permanent galleries, including recent acquisitions supported by the Clayton and Odessa Lang Ofstad Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee. Among the highlights are the Grog and raven’s voyage rattle by Eugene Alfred (Northern Tutchone/Tlingit), Crow Clan of Selkirk Nation, Pelly Crossing, Yukon, 2021(NMM 15664) and the Louis Vuitton drum by Fox Spears (Karuk) Seattle, Washington, 2020 (NMM 15667).

All Discovery Saturday activities are included with museum admission. Music Storytime is offered free of charge thanks to the support of the M.A. Martin Everist Foundation of Sioux City.

Discovery Saturdays take place on the first Saturday of each month, offering unique hands-on programs and guided experiences for visitors of all ages.

The National Music Museum is open Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
For more information, visit NMMusd.org.