Abenaki Snow Snake Games

Ps8-Skog Games

(Snow-Snake)

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Building A Snow Snake Stick�BILL OF MATERIALS�1. Hardwood lumber 1" X 1/2" X 40".�1. Whittle the snow snake head to the shape shown in the photograph.�2. With a hand plane direfully plane the rest of the snake to a triangular cross section.�3. Taper the end and sand the snow snake.�4. With a small gouge, carve in the head design and body designs.�5. Final sand, stain and varnish the snow snakes.�

Building Instructions

• Most of the snow snakes are three, five to seven foot long. These are fine wood shop projects. Make the snakes from maple, birch or ash about 7/7" - 1" wide by 1/2"- 5/8" thick. Carving is optional but does not improve the distance of the throw. I have made mine longer, about 3 feet long, so they will be more competitive with other native Nations' snow snakes, but the design is up to you. A store bought dowl is very good. Painting your snake can have a head and eyes like a snake and or native designs and markings.

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First Snow Snake Games in 300 Years��16 Feb. 2008 Randolph, Vermont�All Abenaki participating members in games.�Suggest by Past Chief Brian Chevernert, held at Past Chief Nancy Millette home. Attended by El Nu Tribe.

Building A Snow Snake Field

• The snow snake game has been played throughout North America for one thousand years or more, wherever there is enough snow to warrant it. Most Native American snow snakes are quite long, from four to as long as ten feet, often thrown down a special lane made in the snow. They are usually made of a foot or more high pile of snow 100-200 yards long, and some even up to one mile. A log is placed on the top of the snow and dragged the entire length back and forth until you have a smooth gutter for the snakes to go down. It is by no means downhill, but follows the rise and dip of the land. Since the course is frequently laid out by the edge of a road, the trough often contains many curves.

Logging Snow Snake Run

The Snow Snake Run

Snow Snake Fun

End of A Good Snow Snake