Director, Hocokata Ti Cultural Center & Museum

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) is seeking a visionary and experienced leader to serve as Director, Hocokata Ti.

Hocokata Ti serves as a cultural, educational, and community resource dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing Dakota culture, history, language, and traditions. The Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for the cultural center while helping shape its future impact for Community members, families, educators, researchers, visitors, and future generations.

This is a unique leadership opportunity for someone who brings a deep understanding of Dakota culture and values along with the ability to lead strategy, people, programming, partnerships, operations, and stewardship of cultural resources.

What You’ll Do

As Director, Hocokata Ti, you will:

• Develop and execute a long-term strategic vision for Hocokata Ti that advances the preservation, promotion, and understanding of Dakota culture, history, language, and traditions.
• Identify opportunities to expand the reach, utilization, and impact of the cultural center while remaining aligned with the Community’s values, mission, and long-term priorities.
• Establish goals, performance measures, and strategic initiatives that strengthen Hocokata Ti as a cultural, educational, and community destination.
• Ensure the respectful preservation, interpretation, and presentation of Dakota cultural heritage through exhibits, collections, programming, educational resources, and events.
• Oversee the stewardship, care, documentation, and maintenance of cultural artifacts, collections, archives, and historical resources.
• Support initiatives that preserve and share Dakota stories, traditions, language, and cultural practices for future generations.
• Build strategic partnerships with K-12 schools, colleges, universities, research institutions, and community organizations.
• Expand opportunities for students, educators, and researchers to engage with Dakota culture through educational programming, field experiences, research, internships, and curriculum-based learning.
• Develop innovative cultural and educational programs that engage Community members, families, team members, and visitors of all ages.
• Create meaningful opportunities for hands-on learning, cultural participation, and intergenerational connection.
• Serve as an ambassador for Hocokata Ti and help increase awareness, attendance, and educational impact.
• Direct the overall administrative, operational, and programmatic functions of the cultural center.
• Ensure a high-quality visitor experience while maintaining effective and sustainable operations.
• Develop and improve policies, procedures, and operating practices that support organizational goals.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners on marketing, public relations, community outreach, and visibility.
• Represent Hocokata Ti in professional, educational, cultural, and community settings.
• Establish the vision and strategy for cultural events, community celebrations, educational programs, and special exhibits.
• Use visitor feedback and performance information to continuously improve programs, services, and experiences.
• Develop, administer, and monitor departmental budgets and ensure responsible stewardship of financial resources.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency while strengthening programming and visitor experiences.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and development to staff and volunteers.
• Recruit, hire, train, develop, and evaluate team members while supporting succession planning and a culture of collaboration, accountability, excellence, and cultural respect.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a leader who brings:

• Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, Native American Studies, History, Education, Cultural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Knowledge of Dakota history, culture, traditions, and values.
• 10 years of progressive leadership experience within a cultural center, educational institution, Tribal government, community engagement organization, or related environment.
• 7 years of leadership experience overseeing teams, budgets, programs, and strategic initiatives.
• Experience overseeing exhibits, collections, educational and cultural programming, and visitor experiences.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strong public speaking, presentation, and facilitation abilities.
• A collaborative, innovative, and forward-thinking leadership approach.

Why This Role Matters

Hocokata Ti is more than a cultural center. It is a place for preserving history, strengthening cultural identity, creating connections between generations, expanding understanding of Dakota culture, and providing meaningful educational experiences for both the Community and visitors.

The Director will have the opportunity to help shape Hocokata Ti’s long-term direction while ensuring its programs, collections, partnerships, people, and operations continue to honor and advance its cultural mission.

For a leader who values cultural stewardship, education, community connection, and building meaningful experiences, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.