04/09/2026
It is because the Earth moves from east to west, the Anishinaabe believe that when we die, our spirits travel to "Ningaabii'anong;" the Western sky. The Anishinaabek also believe that new life and knowledge emerge from "Waabanong ; " the eastern sky. Thus, many ceremonies and traditions reflect these cardinal directions.
The constellations and star knowledge relate to seasonal changes, subsistence activities, ceremonies and storytelling of the Anishinaabek. Seasonal changes correlate with the movement of stellar constellations, which, in turn, are reflected in tribal stories and ceremonies.
Hole in the Sky
The Anishinaabe constellation, "Bugonagiizhig Hole in the Sky," is the star cluster known as Pleiades. The seven stars represent the opening between the Earth and the star world. This "Hole in the Sky" leads to the spirit world. "Bugonagiizhi," is a winter constellation that rises in the northeast sky in October and makes its way across the winter sky, sinks below the northwest horizon in late March, becoming invisible from April through August.
These seven stars also represent the seven poles used in the construction of the "Jiisakaan Shaking Tent Ceremony." Other Anishinaabek communities refer to Pleiades as "Madoo'asinug Sweating Stones." The seven stars in this constellation represent the seven stones used in the sweatlodge ceremony.
The Sweatlodge
The "Madoodiswan," or "Sweatlodge," is the constellation also known as the Corona Borealis. Characterized as a group of stars in a circular pattern with the door of the lodge opening to the north/northeast, it rises in the northeast sky in March and disappears on the horizon in September. The "Sweatlodge" constellation is directly overhead during the early evenings of June, yet is not seen for six months throughout the winter.
The Fisher
The most wellknown constellation is the Big Dipper or Ursa Major. To the Anishinaabe, the Big Dipper is part of the constellation "Ojiig'anung Fisher Star." "Ojiig'anung" lies just above the horizon from October to December. In December, it emerges in the northeast sky. Throughout the long winter, the Fisher makes its way across the night sky. The Anishinaabek knew that spring was close when "Ojiig'anung" was directly overhead in the early evenings. The rise of "Ojiig'anung" was also an indication that it was time to prepare for "Aninaatig ozhiga'igewin tapping of the maple trees.
The Great Lynx
"Mishi bizhiw," or the Great Lynx, is another constellation that emerges in the late winter skies. Because the lynx is known to be a somewhat dangerous animal, this constellation is a reminder that the north woods, especially during the transition time between winter and spring, can be dangerous. Thinning ice on the lakes and rivers, hard crust on the snow, flooding, and unpredictable snowstorms are characteristic of the Great Lakes region during this time.
The constellation, "Mishi bizhiw," consists of the two constellations of Leo and Hydra. The head of Leo makes up the long curled tail, while the head of Hydra makes up the head of the Great Lynx.
The Loon and the North Star
Polaris, or the North Star, is known as "Giwedin'anung Star of the North." "Giwedin'anung" was used in determining the four cardinal directions as well as navigating through the Great Lakes region at night. "Giwedin'anung" is part of the constellation known as "Maang The Loon." The Loon constellation comprises the stars of the Little Dipper. "Giwedin'anung" is located at the tip of the tail feathers of the Loon constellation.
In the Ininew language, Polaris is called Keewatin Atchakos, the going home star. If people kept Keewatin on their right shoulder while traveling at night, they knew they were traveling west. The Plains Cree called Polaris the standing still star, Ekakatchet Atchakos.
The Milky Way
We call this jiibay kona which means Spirit Path or Pinesi Miikana, the Thunder Bird’s Path. Other stories call it the Wolves Road and others call it “maskinaw atchakuk,” the path of souls.
In Cree, the Milky Way is called Neepin Pinesisuk Meskinaw, the summer birds path. Niska the goose or Wahpasiw the swan (the constellation Cygnus) and other birds follow this path when they migrate south and back north.
- Tobasanokwut Kinew, Anishinaabe Elder
Research and Text Published by: Michael Wassegijig Price
Source: https://michaelwassegijig.com/star-knowledge.html
Painting by: Edwin Bighetty
Artist Link: https://www.micec.com/heritage_collection.php?category_id=2&item_id=387
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