Winter Count

Abstract

Winter count is a way of oral record-keeping that is expressed in the form of story, poetry, songs, and chants which may be described as historical myth or legend. Indigenous people have used this means of memorializing significant events, cautionary tales, genealogy, the meaning of names for places, and for other related occurrences and occasions.

Story-telling is a long-established system, passing tribal history down from one generation to the next generation. The importance of this method is proven by its continued usage from the past to the present day.

Indigenous culture valorizes such traditional means of communication and as such, Winter Count reflects stories of Metis family.