„…a history of the Lakota people from their perspective…”

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) curates a Lakota winter count. It is a yellowing bolt of muslin measuring about 3 feet on a side. Illustrated with small symbolic images that spiral clockwise out from the center, it chronicles Lakota history from 1789 to 1910. Each of the 121 years in that period is marked by a single image. Calendars such as this are called “winter counts” because they were used to help the community recall important events in history during long winter nights.

The winter count in DMNS’ holdings is named after Lakota Chief Martin White Horse, its last keeper.

„A History Recalled, One Symbol at a Time”
Stephen E. Nash