North America Star lore of the Cree

The Cree are one of the largest First Nations in what is now Canada. Most of the star lore presented in this section comes from two sources: Wilfred Buck is a science facilitator at the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre. He has published several articles and books on Cree star lore. Native Skywatchers is a group of professional astronomers, artists, language and cultural experts, educators, community members and Native American elders 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. In 2016, the group published a Cree Star Map. Click on the picture to the right for a larger image.

In Cree mythology, some constellations have different meanings, depending on which story is told. At the beginning of this collection are two stories involving a number of partially overlapping constellations.

The Great Bear Hunt The Cree Myth of the Great Bear Hunt is a version of the Celestial Hunting Story, a myth that originated in western Siberia and was brought to America with the people crossing the Beringia land bridge. As such, the Cree myth here told by Wilfred Buck is in large parts similar to the story of the Miꞌkmaq and Iroquois. In other parts, it is different, concentrating on the bad behavior of a bully (the bear) and its opportunistic flowers (the raven), until the smaller birds rose up against the bully.

Kayas - long ago - Mista Muskwa, a huge bear (visualized by the Big Dipper) roamed over the lands.... All beings were afraid of this bear because it was big, mean and powerful. It did what it wanted to do when it wanted to do it. It wrecked homes, destroyed winter food caches, scared game, ripped up edible plants and killed all who stood in her way. This went on for many years. One day, some fed-up animals decided to hold a meeting and discuss what could be done about this situation. A meeting was called and almost all of the animals showed up, because they all felt that the situation with the bear was unacceptable. After great outcries and stories of horror and tragedy, it was decided that the bear had to be removed from their traditional lands. At various times, the beings of the land tried to reason and calm the bear, but to no avail. The bear always did what it wanted to do and continued to damage property and hurt or kill others. Thus, it was decided that seven of the best trackers and hunters were chosen to remove the bear. It just so happened that the seven best trackers and hunters were birds: Robin, Chickadee, Moose-bird, Blue Jay, Pigeon, Horned Owl and Saw-whet Owl. The hunt was on as Tehpakoop Pinesisuk, the Seven Birds (represented by the constellation Corona Borealis), chased Mista Muskwa.

Mista Muskwa; Source: Atchakosuk Tehpakoop Pinesisuk; Source: Atchakosuk

Not all beings were put off by the activities of the bear. The ravens found that they could have a comfortable, well-fed life if they just followed the bear around and feed on its left-overs. When they heard about what was to hap-pen to the bear, the ravens went straight to Mista Muskwa and told him. He was outraged and set immediately out to find these 'great hunters'. So it was that around the 11th and 12th full moons of the year, a confrontation between Mista Muskwa and the hunters occurred.

This confrontation was brief and did not lead to violence because when Mista Muskwa failed to scare his pursuers, he turned and fled, as all bullies do when confronted with determination and resolve. It is said that Mista Muskwa and his pursuers were so fast that they flew into the northern night sky. Just as this happened, the bear was mortally wounded and he turned and faced his attackers. Mista Muskwa was bleeding badly and he shook, as a wet dog would shake, and as he did, blood from his wound fell to the earth and landed and stayed on all the broad leafed plants. That is why the leaves of all broad-leafed plants change color in the fall. As Mista Muskwa shook, he also splattered a drop of blood on the bird that mortally wounded him. To this day, pipichew – the robin – has a red chest.

Mista Muskwa in the Cree Sky Map created by Native Skywatchers

To remind all of the rewards of bullies, Mista Muskwa was placed in the sky along with the seven birds. Pipichew (the brightest of the seven birds) was given a further honor by being granted a special egg. It was the color of the sky and had speckles that represented the stars." Source: Wilfred Buck: Ininewuk Stories of the Stars

The Sweat Lodge The Sweat Lodge legend is one of the oldest myths that originated on the American continent. In this rather complex myth involving no less than four distinct star formations, Corona Borealis becomes Matootisan, the sweat lodge. Wilfred Buck tells us, how the sweat lodge ceremony was brought to the people: Once there was a young man named Tikoom – the louse – who had seven uncles and they lived at a time of scarcity and sickness. It came to be t hat food was needed for the community and the young man’s seven uncles decided to go and find fresh meat.

Sweat Lodge (Corona Borealis) Source: Atchakosuk

They were to return to the community in three days time. The young man waited impatiently, for he wanted to go with them, but they decided against this. After three days, Tikoom’s seven uncles had yet to return. The young man waited all the next day and still no one returned, after which he decided that he should go look for them. He left that afternoon. Tikoom traveled all afternoon and into the late evening following their tracks. Eventually he came to the place where they had made camp. Here he found an empty shelter that contained nothing but seven rocks. The shelter offered protection from the cold wind and it was getting very cold and dark. He decided to spend the night there and continue on in the morning.

That night, as he slept, he had a dream. In the dream, his uncles came to him and told him what had happened to them. The young man was told that his uncles happened upon a mistapew (a giant, visualized by Orion). This mistapew traded in spirits and could capture spirits and transfer them from one spirit being to another. This amused the giant greatly because it caused mass confusion and fear and this is what this mistapew lived on. Thus, when the giant saw the seven brothers, he felt that this was an opportunity to capture their spirits. The giant invited the weary hunters into his camp to spend the night and rest. In the morning he would tell them where to find fresh game. As the brothers slept the giant crept into their dreams and took their spirits. He did this because he wanted to eat their bodies but could not do so if they were still in possession of their spirits. The giant transferred the spirits of the seven brothers into seven rocks because he knew that the rock could hold spirits; these rocks were individually regarded as either Nimoshoom Assini – the grandfather rock, and Nookoom Assini – the grandmother rock.

Mistapew (Orion) Source: Atchakosuk

These Matootisan Assiniuk – heated rocks (represented by the Pleiades) – hold the spirits of the night when it is cold under the moon and the spirits of the light when it is warm under the heat of the sun. Only when the Matootisan Assiniuk are heated until they are bright red are the grandfather and grandmother spirits released. This was how the giant got the spirits of the uncles. The young man was told by his uncles how to release their spirits. They could not return to him in human form but would visit him if he performed a ceremony they would show him.

As instructed, he built a domed lodge using branches from a willow tree as the ribs and hides of deer, moose or buffalo to cover the branches. He placed the seven rocks he had seen in the abandoned camp into the base of the fire he was instructed to build outside of the dome. When this was done, he lit the fire and let it burn until the rocks became red-hot. He brought the red-hot rocks into the domed structure. Once inside the domed structure with the red-hot rocks in the center, he was to close the door so the dome was completely dark and begin to sing and pray as he was instructed. As he sang and prayed, he splashed water on the hot rocks which released their spirits. He saw the spirits of his uncles first as lights – the uncles were born again from the domed lodge. The willow ribs of the domed lodge symbolize the womb of our mother and it was she who has the power to release and bring forth new life.

Matootisan Assiniuk; Source: Atchakosuk

This is what Tikoom did and released his uncles to the spirit world. For his determination, faith, and trust, the Creator gave to him a ceremony with which to heal and, by doing so, feed his people. He was also given a new name: Assini Awasis - Stone Child. He would forever be remembered as the boy who brought the sweat lodge to the people. Today we see Matootisan, the sweat lodge in the night sky and at certain times of the night we can see the Sweat Lodge, Keewatin, the Altar (Polaris) and Matootisan Assiniuk, the Sweat Lodge Fire and rocks all in the sky at once and be reminded of where to go for comfort, hope, spiritual sustenance, direction, and healing. Source: Wilfred Buck: Ininewuk Stories of the Stars

The Dog Stars The Cree call the seven stars that make up the Little Dipper of the Ursa Minor constellation Atima Atchakosuk, the Dog Stars. Wilfred Buck tells us how dogs came to the people: Long ago, the people had no dogs. There was no companion for a lonely child or help for the Elders on long forced marches to new campsites in search of food during times of famine. The people were always surprised when visitors, raiders, and marauding animals entered their camps; they had no warning system that would tell them when danger was near.

Atima Atchakosuk; Source: Atchakosuk

Our natootim-uk, our relatives, the Wolf, Coyote and Fox saw this and were concerned. The wolves held a council and it was decided that they would send two of their own to live with the people. The council of Coyotes and council of Foxes also decided this same action. Two pups from each of the councils were sent to all the four directions of humankind. They came, adapted, changed and flourished. From these gifts came all the dogs that now inhabit the world. These dogs now guard our homes, communities, camps, and loved ones. To honor this sacrifice made by our natootim-uk, the Creator placed a reminder of the dogs in the heavens, which would forever be a guardian for humans. Polaris anchors the dogs’ leash as the dog runs around the circumference of the sky-camp, alert and ever on guard. The stars of this constellation, particularly those on the handle of the Little Dipper, represent the Wolf (Polaris), the Coyote (δ UMi) and the Fox (ε UMi); the four bowl stars represent the pups that were sent to the four directions of humankind. Polaris is also known as Keewatin, the Going Home Star. It represents the northern direction and keewatinook – the north winds. It is an important star for people who live under the Ahkoop Atchakosuk, or blanket of stars. The Plains Cree called this star Ekakatchet Atchakos, the standing still star,as this star stood still while all the other stars danced around it. It also represents the altar for the sweat lodge ceremony. Source: Wilfred Buck: Ininewuk Stories of the Stars

With their Ojibwe and Dakota neigbors, the Cree share the legend "How Fisher went to Skyland" (see here). Some anthropologists believe the legend dates back to a time of perpetual winter - the end of the last ice age, when the first people migrated to North America. Ocik Atchakosuk, the fisher (Pekania pennanti) is a mamal belonging to the weasel family. While the Ojibwe placed Fisher in the sky as the Big Dipper, Cree astronomy visualized it as Ursa Minor. Source: Atchakosuk

Ocik Atchakosuk Source: Atchakosuk

The Spring Constellations Polaris is part of yet another formation. Sisikwun, the Rattle signals the arrival of Spring. This constellation encompasses Polaris and connects to Cepheus. The root word of Sisikwun is Sikwun...Spring. Rattles were made of turtle shells. Thus, individually, Cepheus is seen as Makinak, the turtle. Source: Atchakosuk

Sisikwun; Atchakosuk

Makinak; Atchakosuk

Other Cree constellations

Atchakos Ahkoop The Cree refer to the Pleiades as Atchakos Ahkoop, the Star Blanket, which was given to the people by Atchakos Iskwew, Star Woman. The seven points of the star blanket were symbolic of Pakone Kiisic, the Hole-in-the-Sky. In Cree legend, Atchakos Iskwew was a being of energy and spirit called Atchakos Iskwew who was able to traveled through realities. Wilfred Buck describes the "Hole-in-the-Sky" as a wormhole, allowing spirits to travel. Source: Wilfred Buck: Atchakosuk

Atchakos Ahkoop, the Star Blanket Source: Atchakosuk

Kokominakasis In the creation story of the Ininew Cree in today's Alberta, Canada, the first two people came down from the land above to the land where the Cree now live on a line lowered by Kokominakasis, Grandmother Spider. They did not heed the warnings that only one person may look down from the spider's line and when both looked, they fell into the great eagle-nest. They were rescued by a wolverine and a bear, the latter of whom taught the pair the ways of life on this new land. Native Skywatchers identified the stars of Andromeda as the Ininew constellation Kokominakasis Source: Spoken Cree

Grandmother Spider © Native Skywatchers

Nipin Pinisew The first rising of Serpens in early summer signaled the arrival of the thunderstorm season. The Cree see Nipin Pinisew a Thunderbird in the northern stars of Scorpius and the stars of Serpens. Source: Atchakosuk

Thunderbird; © Native Skywatchers

Thunderbird in a Cree petroglyph Source: Atchakosuk

Thunderbird Constellation Source: Atchakosuk

Niska The Cree see a Goose, called Niska in the constellation Cygnus. The main axis, formed by Deneb (α Cyg), Sadr (γ Cyg) and Albireo (β Cyg) marks the direction of the path of migratory birds. Source: Atchakosuk

Niska; © Native Skywatchers

Wisakaychak In Cree mythology, Orion is generally seen as Wisakaychak, the benevolent culture hero of the Cree tribe, among other deeds credited with the creation of the Sun and the Moon. Wisakaychak is a trickster character whose adventures are often humorous and never dangerous or destructive. Sources: Wilfred Buck, Atchakosuk, Lance Cardinal

Wisakaychak creates the Sun and the Moon Source: Lance Cardinal

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