The traditional Native American Winter Count as a model for teaching ecological observation and inquiry

The integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into GK-12 science programs can allow us to bridge the gap between ecology, natural history, the scientific method, and indigenous cultures. It can provide a creative approach to meeting National Science Standards, while offering relevancy to other topics such as social studies. The “Winter Count” is a Native American tradition of recording major ecological events and other observations as symbolic images on animal hides. The information archived within these accounts can provide rich data and offer insight into the historic ecology of the North American ecosystem, and culturally significant natural resources as well. Oral traditions, ceremonies, and traditional lifestyles of Native American tribes are directly tied to subsistence upon local natural resources. In this system, success is determined by one’s ability to survive, which requires an intimate knowledge of the local ecosystem acquired through observation. The Winter Count is an excellent illustration of recording keen observations, a fundamental basis of western science and ecological investigation. We used the Winter Count as a model for teaching 1^st and 5^th grade students, on the Flathead Indian Reservation, Montana, about the crucial role of observation in learning about the local environment, and western science. Students were introduced to historic Winter Counts, by providing examples of images and data gleaned from these accounts. They were asked to draw images to represent their own interpretations of historic and current ecological observations. During the winter, each classroom recorded observations and major events. These observations were then depicted by symbolic images to create their own Winter Count. Each class evaluated their observations with respect to climate change at local and global scales. The Winter Count model proved to be an insightful tool for teaching elementary students about the role of observation in ecological inquiry, and integrating TEK in science education.