A Living Culture
Since Covid-19 and the Pandemic much of our AICH Programming has gone in a virtual direction to maintain social distancing. With our elders being the most vulnerable population we wanted to preserve their stories.
A time to Listen, Learn, Laugh & Love. Native American History has been erased for the past 100 years, and only told through Settler Colonizer perspective. In Sacred Spaces we will explore and honour the journeys of our people and Elders; Our-Story, NOT history!!! We have to go back to learn how to move forward. Good medicine to you, your family, your nation and enjoy these videos.
What's a winter count?
Winter counts (Lakota: waníyetu wówapi or waníyetu iyáwapi) are pictorial calendars or histories in which tribal records and events were recorded by Native Americans in North America. The Blackfeet, Mandan, Kiowa, Lakota, and other Plains tribes used winter counts extensively.
Most winter counts have a single pictograph symbolizing each year, based on the most memorable event of that year. For Lakota people, years ran from first snowfall to first snowfall. Kiowa winter counts usually feature two marks per year – one for winter and one marking the summer Sun Dance. The glyphs representing significant events would be used as a reference that could be consulted regarding the order of the years. More extensive oral histories were passed down using the winter counts as guide posts.
Traditionally each band would choose a single keeper of the winter count. Until the 20th century, these keepers were always men. They would consult with tribal elders to reach a consensus for choosing a name for the year. The keeper chose his successor in recording the count, who was often a family member.
Until the late 19th century, winter counts were recorded on buffalo hides. When buffalo became scarce, keepers resorted to using muslin, linen, or paper. The annual pictographs began on either the left or right side of the drawing surface and could be run in lines, spirals, or serpentine patterns.
