Moccasin Game
One of the most prominent and competitive winter games among Bodéwadmi is the Moccasin Game. Forming two teams, each are comprised of a finder/hider, scorekeeper, drummers and singers. Using theatrics, each team is tasked with hiding a small wooden ball under one of four moccasins in an attempt to disguise its location and confuse opponents. With the ball concealed, drummers and singers among the hiding team play specific songs to distract opponents and intensify gameplay. Points are earned based on the number and pattern of successful selections, each represented with distinct counting sticks. As the game progresses, teammates alternate roles to allow each member an opportunity to play and score points. The team that collects all counting sticks wins.
Citations
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center
Cooke, Sarah E. and Rachel B. Ramadhyani. 1993. Indians and a Changing Frontier: The Art of George Winter