Accepting public submissions for the 2024 Winter Count

Another winter solstice is on the horizon. December 21 marks the start of winter and the day in the year with the fewest hours of daylight. It’s also an honourable and sacred time to the Blackfoot people, as they acknowledge the coming home of the sun. The inaugural Lethbridge Blackfoot Winter Solstice in 2023 included the Lethbridge Winter Count.

A Winter Count is a historical record written on an animal hide. It uses paint and pictographs to capture environmental details and significant events. The pictographs are arranged in a spiral pattern to represent the sun. The historical accounts are recorded each year until the hide is full. The 2023 Lethbridge Winter Count is on display inside the Cavendish Farms Centre.

Residents can submit significant local events from 2024. Three chosen submissions will transform into a pictograph by Blackfoot artist, Api'soomaahka - William Singer III, on the 2024 Lethbridge Winter Count. Submissions are open until 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 16.

The 2024 Blackfoot Winter Solstice will take place Saturday, December 21 at the Cavendish Farms Centre. A complete schedule of events will be available closer to the event.

For Public Inquiries:
Call 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.