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Native American Heritage Month: Celebrating Indigenous Astronomy Traditions

by Dave Manzer on Nov 14, 2024

Did you realize that November is Native American Heritage Month?

Native Americans were on this continent for thousands of years before Europeans ever ventured across the Atlantic Ocean. And they were made up of tribes and organized civilizations that were incredibly diverse in their history, traditions, economic models, technology and culture.

As a founder of Sky View Tents, I’m dedicated to growing our connection to and the protection of our dark skies. Living in Colorado among the mountains and streams where the Utes called home for centuries, I truly admire the relationship indigenous people had with the stars!

To all native peoples, the universe was more than a collection of stars and planets. The glowing bodies in the night sky were woven into their traditions and beliefs. They viewed it as a source of knowledge, a navigational and spiritual guide, and an inspiration.

Here’s a glimpse into the various ways Indigenous communities have woven astronomy into their cultures and lives.

Guiding the Way: Stars as Navigation Tools

For Indigenous peoples, the stars have long served as a guide for travel and exploration. Many tribes, like the Polynesians and the Inuit, could navigate vast stretches of land and water by recognizing specific constellations, the position of the North Star, and the movement of celestial bodies. Using the stars as a natural compass, Native people could move from place to place without any modern navigational tools.

The Ancestral Puebloans in the Southwest used the seasonal positions of the stars to guide their farming practices and community gatherings. Their knowledge of the night sky allowed them to predict when to plant and harvest crops, ensuring they worked in sync with the land and sky.

Celebrating Through Stories and Traditions

In Indigenous cultures, each constellation and celestial event came with its own stories and teachings. The Lakota people, also known as the Teton Sioux, have a story about the "Seven Sisters" constellation, known as the Pleiades. According to Lakota tradition, these stars represent seven sisters who were pursued by a bear and eventually lifted into the sky for protection. The bear in turn left his scratch marks on the Devil’s Tower, showing his displeasure. Many Native groups used these stories as a way to pass down important moral lessons and teach children about their heritage.

The Ojibwe people, too, have star stories woven into their traditions. They have a constellation known as the “Fisher” (or Ojiig) in the Northern Sky, representing a brave fisher who sacrificed himself to bring warm seasons to the people. These stories teach values like courage, selflessness, and respect for nature and are retold each year, preserving them for future generations.

The Role of Stars in Ceremonies and Religion

Many Native American communities used celestial events like solstices and lunar cycles to mark times of the year for important ceremonies. For example, the ancient Puebloan Sun Dagger site in New Mexico is an archaeological marvel created to observe solstices. On these special days, sunlight would align with carvings on rock slabs, creating a “dagger” of light—a visual that marked the beginning of a new season.

The Navajo Nation incorporates astronomy into their spirituality and healing practices. They believe that the stars were placed in the sky by the Holy People to guide and protect them. During healing ceremonies, these stories about the stars and their movements are recited, adding a sacred layer to their tradition.

Modern-Day Star Knowledge

Many Native American tribes are now working to preserve and revive their astronomical knowledge. Educators, astronomers, and tribal leaders have been combining Indigenous star knowledge with Western science to offer a fuller picture of our universe. In Alaska, the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP) helps students connect Indigenous star knowledge with contemporary STEM fields. This blend of old and new not only preserves traditions but also inspires new generations to explore science through a cultural lens.

Stargazing Today: A Universal Connection

For Indigenous peoples, the stars are more than just lights in the sky—they are teachers, ancestors, and guides. Through stories, ceremonies, and scientific exploration, Native communities continue to celebrate and deepen their connection to the cosmos. This Native American Heritage Month, look up at the stars and think about the many ways these celestial bodies have inspired people across time. Each constellation holds stories, traditions, and values that connect us all to the vast, mysterious universe above.