NATIVE SKYWATCHERS

INDIGENOUS ASTRONOMY REVITALIZATION

Designed by Annette S. Lee (2007), the Native Skywatchers initiative seeks to remember and revitalize Indigenous star and earth knowledge. The overarching goal of Native Skywatchers is to communicate the knowledge that Indigenous people traditionally practiced a sustainable way of living and sustainable engineering through a living and participatory relationship with the above and below, sky and earth.

We aim to improve current inequities in education for native young people, to inspire increased cultural pride, and promote community wellness. We hope to inspire all people to have a rekindling or deepening sense of awe and personal relationship to the cosmos-terrestrial and celestial.

For seventeen years we have been leading indigenous astronomy revitilization efforts starting with our own communities, Ojibwe and D/Lakota. We invite you to join our effort in 'building community around the native star knowledge'.     

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    Native Skywatchers - Kapemni Dance Bell Museum

    Experience the Magic... Kapemni Dance Animation at the Bell Museum! Join us for a storytelling motion media dance performance featuring Indigenous astronomy with immersive, experiential, interactive animation projection art, and sky and Earth soundscapes. Kapemni Dance team!  |   Sat. May 20, 2023 LIVE SHOWS ONLY at 2 and 3 pm ct ...More info  

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    Native Skywatchers - Turtle Island Skywatchers-Stories of Us!

    Celebrate the Seasons with us... Wetu-Ziigwan-Spring Equinox Online Gathering - The birds are back and so is Spring! Join the Native Skywatchers team for a  sharing of art-based story and unique digital content .... also updates from the We are Stardust team!  Mon. March 20, 2023 at 7 pm ct ...More info

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    Native Skywatchers - We are Stardust - Special Needs Youth

    In collaboration with Mankato Area Public Schools Native Skywatchers - We are Stardust is happening for Mankato Special Needs Youth. From the Pleiades to Pulsating Stars... from spin drums to painted feathers... there's a jumping in opportunity for all! Winter - Spring 2023

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    Native Skywatchers - Winter Solstice Event

    Join us for the passing of the torch from the last day of fall to the first moments of winter! Welcome Ojibwe Biboonkeonini-Wintermaker constellation and D(L)akota Mato Tipila-Bear's Lodge constellation and more!   Biboon, Waniyetu, Winter Solstice Event, Wed. Dec. 21,  2022, 7 pm cst     | View recordings here   

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    Native Skywatchers - Ocean Voices, Sea and Stars

    Volcano School of the Arts and Sciences, partner with Native Skywatchers in an interdisciplinary digital narrative multimedia production learning cohort grades 2-8, led by Kumu (Educator) Barbara Sarbin and team. Fall 2022. Read more details. See their productions! Here!

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    Native Skywatchers - We are Stardust - Mankato

    Native Skywatchers in an innovative partnership with Greater Twin Cities United Way-Purpose Driven Paychecks and Community Education-Mankato Area Public Schools expands a Science-Art-Culture pathway for American Indian students centering Indigenous culture and positive identity development. Supports students through a culturally affirming learning experience, then progresses to hire them as after school leaders for middle school students. Led by Educator Elaine O. Hardwick. Summer 2022. Read more and see a highlights reel here!

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    Native Skywatchers - Fall Equinox Event Everyone welcome...

    Join us for the passing of the torch from the last day of summer to the first moments of fall! Welcome Mooz Ojibwe constellation and Keya D(L)akota constellation and more!   Dagwaagin, Ptanyetu, Fall Equinox Event,Thurs. Sept 22, 2022     |    More info   

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    Native Skywatchers Educator & Community Workshop Summer 2022 - Indigenous STEM and Wellness

    Join us for an exciting, action-packed, two-day livestream event! Indigenous Knowledge Holders, scholars, Indigenous scientists, scholars, and educators at the forefront of Indigenous STEM and Indigenous Astronomy revitalization movements will share their work and perspectives.  Niibin, Bdoketu, Summer Solstice Event, June 18 & 19, 2022, 9 am to 1:30 pm cdt    |    More info   

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    "Native Skywatchers-Making Spirit, Making Art, Making Shadow Puppets"

    This creative project weaves together art, culture & science in a way that will engage learners to create art in relation to the earth, sky, & cosmos. Play with light, color, motion, and shadow. Let your imagination soar! Try it out ...      More  

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    Comca 'ac Astronomia'

    A Native Skywatchers Collaboration with the Comca 'ac Nation of the Sonora Desert, Mexico. Led by Andrea Medina.   |   More

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    Native Skywatchers Educator & Community Workshop Summer 2021 - Indigenous STEM and Wellness, Our Indigenous North American Voices

    Join us for an exciting, action-packed, two-day livestream event! Indigenous North American leaders at the forefront of Indigenous STEM and Indigenous Astronomy revitalization movements will share their work and perspectives.   |    More Info     

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    Indigenous Skywatchers- Searching for Earth 2.0 Summer 2021 - an International Research Experience for Undergraduates

    Extraordinary collaboration between Native Skywatchers, St. Cloud State Univ., and the University of Southern Queensland. Indigenous students participate in Exoscience Research and Indigenous Astronomy Research    Flyer  |   More Info

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    Two-Eyed Seeing: Navajo (Dine) Astronomy & NASA Moon to Mars

    Live (virtual) event, Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 9 am pst, 10 am mst, 11 am cst bringing together Indigenous Astronomy and NASA- Moon to Mars & STEM on Station in a way that will engage K-12 learners and everyone! | More | View

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    Two-Eyed Seeing: Mayan Astronomy & NASA Moon to Mars

    Live (virtual) event, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 6:30 pm pst, bringing together Indigenous Astronomy and NASA- Moon to Mars & STEM on Station in a way that will engage K-12 learners and everyone! | More | View

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    Two-Eyed Seeing: D(L)akota Astronomy & NASA Moon 2 Mars

    Live (virtual) event, Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 10-11 am cst, bringing together Indigenous Astronomy and NASA- Moon to Mars & STEM on Station in a way that will engage K-12 learners and everyone! | More | View

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    New Project...Two-Eyed Seeing: Ojibwe Astronomy & NASA Moon 2 Mars

    Live (virtual) event, Friday, Oct. 23, 2020 10-11 am cdt, bringing together Indigenous Astronomy and NASA- Moon to Mars & STEM on Station in a way that will engage K-12 learners and everyone! | More | View

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    Indigenous Astronomy Traveling Exhibit

    One Sky, Many Worlds: Indigenous Voices in Astronomy, curated by A. Lee, W. Buck & D. Pantalony, produced by Ingenium - Canada's Museums of Science & Innovation and Nomad Exhibits, opening May 2023  | More 

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    Indigenous Star Knowledge Symposium

    Through a recently awarded federal research grant, Ingenium is planning an International Symposium on Indigenous Star Knowledge in partnership with the Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies at the University of Ottawa. A serious of local and international gatherings, on the land and online. A sharing of knowledge between traditional Knowledge Keepers, scholars, and educators, held on Traditional Algonquin Anishinàbe Territory in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITES:  

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LIVE (Virtual) SHOW!
Ojibwe Astronomy & NASA Moon to Mars

Join us for a 60 m live show featuring the Native Skywatchers Ojibwe Team-members: Carl Gawboy, William Wilson, Jeffrey Tibbetts, Jim Knutson-Kolodzne, and Annette S. Lee. Weaving together Indigenous Ojibwe Astronomy & NASA science this event will offer insights from both world-views. 

 

Friday, Oct. 23, 2020
10 - 11 am cdt

 

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LIVE (Virtual) SHOW!
D(L)akota Astronomy & NASA Moon to Mars

Join us for a 60 m live show featuring the Native Skywatchers D(L)akota Team-members:  Janice Bad Moccasin, Ida Downwind, Ramona Kitto Stately, Jim Knutson-Kolodzne, Annette S. Lee, and James Spotted Thunder. Supporting partners: Dakhóta Iápi Okhódakičhiye, MN Indian Education, and We Are Still Here Minnesota. Weaving together Indigenous D(L)akota Astronomy & NASA science this event will offer insights from both world-views. 

 Friday, Nov. 13, 2020
10 - 11 am cst

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SYMPOSIUM
Indigenous Star Knowledge Gathering

On the land and online. Organised by Ingenium, the Instit. of Indig. Research & Studies-Univ. of Ottawa, hosted by Algonquin Anishnaabeg. Fall Equinox: Protocols before Knowledge, Seasonal and regional themes. Invited speakers include: Shawn Wilson & Stuart Barlo; Wilfred Buck, Nancy Maryboy, David Begay, Anita Tenasco, and Annette S. Lee.  September 21, 2020 (7 p.m. Est Ottawa, Canada); September 22, 2020 (9:00 a.m. Lismore, Australia) 

Mon. Sept. 21, 2020, (6 pm cdt)

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RESOURCES...
like Native Star  Maps

Tangible, high- impact resources like native star maps, planispheres, storytelling videos, lesson plans, children's book, artworkt,  etc. to communicate Indigenous Astronomy with high quality and interdisciplinary strength.

 

 

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WORKSHOPS...
learn & share

Annual summer Native Skywatchers workshop since 2010. Here is a chance to really dig deep into what Indigenous Scientific Knowledge really looks like, and feels like. Science-focused, Art-focused, or combination, everyone welcome!

 

 

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EVENTS ...
like webinars & conferences

Check out this page to see webinars, seminars, and conferences that our Skywatchers facilitators are involved in and also Indigenous Astronmy related presentations. Lot's happening, don't miss out!

 

 

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EXHIBITS...
...like "One Sky, Many Worlds-Indigenous Voices in Astronomy"

An international traveling exhibit led by A. Lee, W. Buck, D. Pantalony, featuring Indigenous Star Knowledge from around the world - Ojibwe, D/Lakota, Ininew, Mi'kmaw, Algonquin, Africa, Maori, Aboriginal Australia, Maya, Hawaiian, Dine, Dene, and Gwich'in...! Opening May 2022

 

 

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MEDIA...
...like NPR-Science Friday

"Relearning The Star Stories Of Indigenous Peoples:  How the lost constellations of Indigenous North Americans can connect culture, science, and inspire the next generation of scientists." Interview by C. Taylor, Featuring the work of W. Buck and A. Lee, Nov. 2019

 

 

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INTERVIEW...
...American Association for the Advancement of Science

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Engaging Scientists in the Science and Religion Dialog Project (DoSER)....spoke with a diverse range of practicing scientists and science communicators about engagement activities with religious communities. These scholars span a range of backgrounds, ... but their engagement activities share some common themes – in particular being strategic, being respectful, and being human.

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Native Skywatchers
P: (612)-314-9717
Contact Us
nativeskywatchers@gmail.com
Art website visit
annettelee.com

 

Acknowledgement: Native Skywatchers is located on the traditional and treaty land of the Dakota people, who along with the Ojibwe are the Indigenous peoples of this land, Mni Sota Makoce or Minnesota.