Ledger Art as it was taught to me has its roots in the ancient Blackfeet tradition of "Winter Count." Each winter the people would gather together and document their significant events, victories and cultural events in pictographs on buffalo hides. This served as a means to recount their history in stories that were passed down orally through the generations. 

 

During the mid 1800's, the buffalo were all but gone. Plains people like the Blackfeet began using the paper of the white man's ledgers to illustrate their lives and cultural events. Today, this practice has evolved into the telling of stories both traditional and contemporary, on antique ledgers, maps, or other historical documents. 

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Some ledger artists use highly stylized methods and traditional pictographs, some use a more modern realism. Some tell stories and war records passed down through generations, and others are lighthearted and express the warm and unique humor of Indigenous Americans.

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I have been blessed to have used this art form to connect with my Blackfeet family and their culture. I am still seeking to find my own unique voice and style as a storyteller. Ledger art has given me tremendous gifts, friendships, and experiences I would not otherwise have found. Wherever possible I use this art form to support Indigenous causes and charities.