ii’ taa’poh’to’p count designed by Reg Crowshoe.
A traditional winter count [isstoksistimaan] is a visual representation of events where the winter represents a year, and each symbol is a “count,” representing an important event or events for that year. All the symbols put together create a visual oral narrative of events over a series of years. For this book, the symbols represent each of the chapters, capturing our journey towards the development of ii’ taa’poh’to’p. This ii’ taa’poh’to’p count is visually parallel to a table of contents.
|
| Central Symbol The central symbol on the ii’ taa’poh’to’p count represents the Indigenous strategy and the Office of Indigenous Engagement, symbolized by a chickadee nest and leaders within the institution who are responsible for the Indigenous Strategy. |
Chapter 1: Understanding the Landscape This is a symbol of a scout; the half circle above represents the top of a hill, and the straight line down indicates that it is safe to travel. | |
Chapter 2: Setting Out Together, these symbols represent the beginning of a journey—a dog travois and travellers, packed and ready to set out on our journey. | |
Chapter 3: Coming into the Circle These symbols represent all of creation being invited into a circle, signifying an ethical space. | |
Chapter 4: Our Four-Stage Journey This symbol represents four distinct lodges or spaces to be visited. Each tipi represents one of the four stages of our journey. | |
Chapter 5: What We Heard These symbols represent dialogue between a storyteller/orator and a listener, and the exchange of knowledge between them. | |
Chapter 6: Creating the Strategy These symbols represent Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working together on the development of the Indigenous strategy; the symbol of the smudge in between the two groups represents the creation of a safe and ethical space. The symbol of the bundle on a tripod represents ii’ taa’poh’to’p. | |
Chapter 7: Empowering the Spirit of ii’ taa’poh’to’p The buffalo at the centre of the circle is the symbol for education (our new buffalo); the circle represents an ethical space. The two symbols below represent the youth/learners coming into a safe learning environment (the university) where everyone is welcome. | |
Chapter 8: Reflections This symbol represents water and our reflection in the water. |