By Paul M. Raczka

Sikaitapi Itsinkkiiki, Telling the Old Stories.

A small pictographic image, drawn on a tanned deer hide, carries the story of the Blackfoot people. Each year thereafter, another is added until the people's history emerges in what is called a winter count. Author Paul Raczka tells the real story behind the winter counts. He uses them as entries into the rich and varied history of prairie people from the old days to the twentieth century. These winter counts are doorways, and when opened, they reveal stories of warfare, leadership, victories, and disasters of the Blackfoot people.