Traditional woodland winter sport to be played on Rez

Observer Staff

2/2/2005 12:00:00 AM

Snowsnake Tournament at Ziibiwing Feb. 19

Ziibiwing will be giving trophies to first place in each division and 2nd and 3rd place ribbons. Each entrant will get a special gift. First place winners will also receive a gift certificate to the Ziibiwing Gift Store.

For more information, contact Kim Cronkite, Events & Promotions Coordinator at the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways-6650 E. Broadway Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 Phone: (989) 775-4744 Email: kdcronkite@sagchip.org The tournament is free of charge.

The game of Snowsnake is a traditional Woodland First Nation winter sport. The Snowsnake, when thrown along a track, can travel up to a mile if conditions are ideal. Years ago, the snakes were thrown along roadways, or over frozen rivers, along fence rows or wherever there was and accumulation of snow. The track was introduced to the game about the turn of the century. The skill of the snowsnake maker, who is called a shiner, is extremely important in producing a winning snowsnake. Equally important is how the snowsnake is selected and prepared for each game once it is made. Each process taken to prepare the snake for competition may be repeated as many times as desired, depending on the requirements of the individual. There are two types of snakes; the short snakes are called Mudcats and are approximately three feet long, and the Longsnakes are approximately seven feet long.

The maker selects a young hickory, ironwood, hard maple or juneberry tree because these types of hardwood are more adaptable to the manufacturing of a snowsnake. Other kinds of fine grain hardwood can also be used. The type of snowsnake and the amount produced are determined by the size of the tree and the straightness of grain. The diameter of the tree can be from 8 to 10 inches. Depending on each maker's personal technique, the wood may either be left whole for one year with the ends greased, or split into sections to dry, or soaked in linseed oil for a period of six months to a year. However, snakes are not always soaked in oil. It may not be soaked until the snake has been completed. If the snake has not run satisfactorily under a variety of snow conditions, then snake may then be soaked in oil and is referred to as oiledsnake. It is then water repellent and heavier that usual. This snake would then be used for wet snow conditions, and could also be used under other weather conditions depending upon the ability of the individual shiner.

In order to build a snowsnake track, there must be sufficient snow on the ground so that the start of the track, or pitch hole, can be made. This is accomplished by piling and packing the snow until it reaches a height of approximately thirty inches. Snow is piled in a straight line and gradually decrease until it is just above ground level. Snow is cleared away from the pitch hole so it is easier for the snowsnake thrower to run before throwing the snake down the track. When there is enough snow piled and packed, a log of approximately four inches in diameter and twenty feet long is placed on the snow pile, trunk first. The log is slid back and forth until the track reaches a depth of five to six inches. A wire and a small stick are attached to the log so that it may be pulled up and dropped to make the track more firm whenever it is necessary. While the men are dragging the log, others are piling the snow along the track as a means of assurance against any unexpected warm temperature. Then the log is drawn back towards the pitch hole, making the track firmer and smoother. The track is now ready for the game to begin.

Throwers vary in their styles of throwing a snowsnake. The snake may be thrown overhand, underhand, or with a side-arm pitch. The thrower proceeds to the pitch hole at his chosen rate of speed. The thrower must be well balanced when he throws. As he is running to the track his free arm maintains the proper balance. A player will usually wear baseball spikes for traction on the snow and leather gloves for a solid grip on the snake. Just before he nears the track, he raises the snake slightly so that it will be high enough for release. The thrower must then follow through with his shot, otherwise, the snake may only travel a short distance or the thrower may injure himself by holding back. Steel wool or a piece of glass is used to polish the snake, giving it a smooth surface. The snake is then washed in clear water and because wood is porus, it expands when wet, forcing the splinters to stand out. The snake is then dried and sanded again with fine steel wool or sandpaper. As this process is repeated, the snake will expand less and less, making it more water resistant each time. The most important aspect of the snowsnake is the balance. The weight or balance at either the tip or end is a major factor when choosing a snake for varying weather conditions. When the desired shape of the snowsnake is obtained, a melted lead solution is poured through a paper funnel into a carved area on the tip. This allowed to set and harden, then carved and sanded smooth to form an arrow-like point. The lead tip serves as added weight and protects the point from splitting. At the opposite end, a u-shaped finger groove is carved which gives the player a firm grip when throwing. After this process, shellac is applied to the snake. Since the shellac also keeps out moisture which slows the snake down, more is applied on dry, cold days or when there is fresh snow. For certain weather conditions and to increase speed, wax may be rubbed on sparingly but evenly over the shellac. Once the snowsnake goes through the time consuming process of preparation, it may be used repeatedly for small, local games. When an important game or tournament comes up, the shellac and wax can be scraped off with a knife of steel wool and prepared over again. One shiner might take twenty or thirty snowsnakes to a competition since the track conditions can change within minutes, requiring a differently prepared snake.

There is no limit to the number of teams that may enter a game, but each team is allowed only four throws each. The shiner, standing at the end of the track, marks the distance where the lead tip comes to a stop. To win the game a team must acquire four points. One point is awarded to the snowsnake that travels the farthest; two points if the second farthest snowsnake is from the same team. A game out is called if all four of one teams snowsnakes are first, second, third and fourth, respectively. If the thrower misses the track or the snowsnake jumps the track, the snowsnake cannot be thrown again and the player misses this turn. At each game the participants decide on certain guidelines; these may change with each tournament. To make the tournament more interesting, each team might put in a certain amount of money and the winning team takes all.