Star Lore Art Native Skywatchers 2012 - 2016

In 2009, a dedicated group of professional astronomers, professional artists, language and cultural experts, educators, community members and Native American elders formed Native Skywatchers, a group dedicated to the preservation of star lore and astronomical knowledge of Native American nations. Their findings have been published by the St. Cloud State University and by UC Santa Barbara. Between 2012 and 2016, the group presented three comprehensive maps of the northern skies: Ojibwe Giizhig Anung Masinaaigan - Ojibwe Sky Star Map D(L)akota Makoċe Wiċaŋḣpi Wowapior - D(L)akota Star Map Ininew Achakos Masinikan - Cree Star Map The maps for the Ojibwe and Dakota were accompanied by extensive constellation guides. Descriptions for the Cree map can be found in the writings of Wilfred Buck. Using the material mentioned above, I have put together short constellation guides for the Cree, Dakota & Lakota and Ojibwe. (Click the links). The images below are cutouts of the large copies of the complete maps, which are shown at the end of this presentation. There are no larger versions of the cutouts, but clicking on the complete maps at the end of the presentation leads to large versions of the complete maps. Copyright information: Ojibwe Constellation Guide and Ojibwe Sky Star Map: Written by Annette Lee, William Wilson, Jeff Tibbets and Carl Gawboy © 2012 Dakota Constellation Guide and Dakota Star Map: Written by Annette Lee and Jim Rock © 2012 Cree Star Map: Created by Wilfred Buck, Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, Inc. © 2016

Dakota Star Map

Nape - Chief's Hand Orion, Eridanus

Maşo Tipi/Maşo Tipila - Bear's Lodge Gemini

Tayamni - three parts of the Buffalo Orion, Canis Major, Pleiades*

*

The image also shows a red circle, representing the "Sacred Hoop", an asterism similar to the Winter Hexagon.

Zuzeca - Snake Columba, Puppis, Canis Major

To Win - Blue Woman*; Wiçaƞlipi Waziyata - stands in one place Ursa Major, Polaris

Wakiƞyaƞ - Thunderbird Orion, Draco, Ursa Minor

*

The Big Dipper has a number of different meanings in Dakota Astronomy. For details see the star lore of Ursa Major.

Keya - Turtle Pegasus

Agle¶ka -Salamander Cygnus

Oçeti/Peta -Fireplace/Fire Leo

Ojibwe Sky Star Map

Mishi bizhiw - Great Panther with Curly Tail Leo, Cancer

Madoodiswan - Sweat Lodge; Noondeshin Bemaadizid - Sweating Person Corona Borealis, Hercules

Maang - Loon Ursa Minor

Ojiig - Fisher Ursa Major

Mooz - Moose Pegasus, Lacerta

Ajiijaak - Crane Cygnus

Biboonkeonini - Wintermaker Orion, Procyon, Aldebaran

Nanaboujou - Hero Scorpius

Cree Star Map

Nipin Pinisew Thunderbird Scorpius, Serpens

Kokominakasis Grandmother Spider Andromeda

Wisakaychak & Atchakos Ahkoop Teacher & Star Blanket Orion & Pleiades

Ocik Atchakosuk, Sisikwun & Makinak - Fisher, Rattle & Turtle Ursa Minor, Cepheus

Niska - Goose Cygnus

Mista Muskwa - Bear Ursa Major

Complete Maps

Dakota Star Map

Ojibwe Star Map

Cree Star Map

The Cree Star Map was created in 2016 by Wilfred Buck. Ojibwe and (D)Lakota maps have been created in 2012 by astronomer and artist Annette Lee. Source of the large versions of the maps: Science Friday on Twitter.

Back to Star Lore Start Page

Back to Art Start Page

Back to Space Page

Back to English Main Page

Back to Start Page