Snow Snakes

Snow snakes is a traditional Indigenous game, that’s been played since long before Europeans arrived on Turtle Island. It is still played in the winter by many Indigenous peoples. There are many variations to this game and some are rather complicated! Here’s how we play:

1. Collect dead branches from the bush. Choose straight pieces, about 1 metre long. Peel off the bark and sharpen both ends into a dull point. You can sand them, decorate with markers or paint and then apply a coat of urethane so your pole will slide easier and not absorb moisture. (In the winter up north, our Knowledge Keeper Melody learned to dip them in a hole in the lake so they would be coated with 2-3 layers of ice before playing.)

2. Divide into 2 teams on well-packed snowy ground. Draw a line that everyone stands behind. One at a time, everyone gets to underhand throw their snow snake. If your snake goes the furthest then your team will get 2 points. If there is a tie, each time gets 1 point. The first team to 50 points wins!