Snow Snake Workshop and Live Snake Meet & Greet at The Institute for American Indian Studies

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Snow Snake Workshop Time Slots: 12:00-1:00pm or 2:00-3:00pm (sign up for either one!)

Live Snake Meet and Greet: 1:00-1:45pm (By signing up for either workshop slot, you can come to this portion of the program.)
Did you know that Snow Snake, a traditional winter game commonly practiced by the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), is still played today in many Northern Native American communities? This game involves a stick that is carved and decorated to resemble a snake. Competitors throw the stick along a snow trench and try to see how far they can throw it. Now you have a chance to make your own snow snake! Join Susan Scherf, educator with the Institute for American Indian Studies and an expert wood crafter, for one of two workshops filled with whittling good fun. We will provide the materials and have some wood burning kits on hand. Participants are welcome to bring a whittling knife. If weather permits, join in a friendly competition following each workshop.

Since we’re making “snow snakes,” let’s also meet some live snakes while we’re at it! Colleen Harrak from White Memorial Conservation Center will bring several live snakes from their Education Collection to IAIS to visit with program participants. From juvenile rat snakes to a big, friendly giant named “Peaches,” White Memorial’s resident snakes give people an up-close and personal encounter with some radical reptiles. If you sign up for the first workshop, hang out afterwards and meet our snakes. Or, if you sign up for the second workshop, arrive an hour early to see the snakes.
Space is limited, so pre-registration is requested. Please visit the IAIS website to register: https://www.iaismuseum.org. Questions? Email events@iaismuseum.org or call (860) 868-0518. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For IAIS and WMCC Members: $20/participant; Non-Members: $40/participant