Via Syracuse Post-Standard
Photo essay by Mike Greenlar
The game of snow snake started as a means of communication between Haudenosaunee villages over 500 years ago. Men would scribe onto the wooden snakes in charcoal to send messages onto the next village via a long snow track. I was fortunate to photograph a recent game in March at the Onondaga Nation. The games go on for both days of the weekend. There are two lengths of snakes used: the long six foot snakes and the shorter thicker mudcats, about three feet long. The men play for side wages to cover expenses for the winners. Bigger purses are available during the tournaments thanks to sponsors.
See his photos from the event.