Field Museum

Winter Count on cloth, by Long Soldier (Hunkpapa Lakota), ca. 1902. Fort Yates, ND. Muslin cloth. (11/6720).  Courtesy of: Smithsonian Institution. https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/photos/winter-count-cloth (accessed Aug 2021)

More Than Words: Pictoral Images 

Ledger Art uses drawings as a way to document important events and allows Native American artists to represent themselves.  

1.) Why do you think it's important for individuals to be able to speak for, or represent themselves?   2.) What can happen when others tell and retell the personal stories of others? 

Changes in Storytelling: Ledger Art

Winter counts are just one way that some Native American communities document and pass on knowledge of important events.  Historically, scenes from good hunting seasons, social gatherings, and battles to protect their homelands were represented in these counts.  Today, Native American artists from a variety of communities continue to use drawings, paintings, and pictures to document and pass on knowledge.  1.) Observe the entire 1900's animal skin tipi liner. 2.) Use GREEN to circle the first observation that caught your eye. 3.) Use YELLOW to circle anything that surprised you. 4.) Use BLUE to circle your favorite section.  Also create a list of everything you observe  (colors, actors, actions, items, etc).  5.) Create a text box for any questions you have after observing the tipi liner. What can you do next to find the answers to these questions? 6.) Lastly, based on the image and "object info" provided, is this a primary source? 

Reading: Winter Counts

We found some ledger paper from the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 in the Field Museum's archives.  1.) Think of a recent important event in your life that you want to remember and share with others. 2.) In your own style, draw and document this event on the ledger provided. 3.) Who will you be drawing this document for? Would you draw it differently for your teacher than you would your family? (Image:  © The Field Museum, GN90799d_WCEledger_158. Typewriter Repairs and Supplies, page 158 of the World's Columbian Exposition Financial Ledger.) 

Draw Your Own History...

Storytelling is often associated with fairytales and imaginary characters.  In this kit, observe and evaluate storytelling techniques that continue to be used by Native American artists and communities and serve as first-hand primary sources to life before and after the arrival of colonial settlers in 1492. (Cover image: Courtesy of the Field Museum of Natural History.)

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

"Sacred Powwow Chair ca. 1980"

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Object Information

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More Than Words: Storytelling as a Primary Source