52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on the Path to Healing - Week 23

Week 23 – View The Sky Through An Indigenous Lens 

from Robertson, David A. 52 Ways to Reconcile: How to Walk with Indigenous Peoples on  the Path to Healing 

This week invites us to decolonize our view of the night sky. When you look up at the stars, what constellation comes to mind first? For many people, it is the Big Dipper, also known as Ursa Major. 

Robertson shares Indigenous teachings connected to this constellation. The first is the story of The Great Bear, which carries an important lesson about anti-bullying. In this story, a bear terrorizes villages, harming the animals who live there. Eventually, the animals unite and send a group of bird warriors to chase the bear away. A robin mortally wounds the bear, and some of the bear's blood stains the robin's chest, giving it the red breast we recognize today. 

The second teaching is the story of the Fisher Stars. A significant part of this constellation includes Ursa Major, with the handle of the Big Dipper representing the fisher's broken tail.  In the story, the fisher sacrifices itself to rescue the summer songbirds, whose songs bring about the changing seasons. After the birds are stolen, the fisher volunteers to save them,  ensuring that life can continue to flourish. During its escape, an arrow strikes the fisher's tail.  Before it can fall to the earth, the Creator catches the fisher and places it in the sky, where it  remains as a reminder of courage, and sacrifice. 

Both stories teach us about living in right relationship with the land, respecting all creation,  and recognizing that taking more than we need has consequences. 

These stories, along with many others, have been passed down through generations for  hundreds of years. While details may vary among communities, the heart of the teachings remains the same. They continue to connect people to the land, the sky, and one another. 

Robertson encourages readers to explore Tipiskawi Kisik: Night Sky Star Stories by Wilfred  Buck, a Cree astronomer and educator who shares many Indigenous teachings about the  stars and their significance. 

Decolonization does not have to be a frightening concept. In many ways, Indigenizing our  understanding of the world is not about excluding others; it is an open invitation to learn from  the stories and shared knowledge that has been passed down for generations. 

This week, I invite you to explore some of these stories with the hope that the next time you  find yourself in the country, looking up at the stars you too can pass them down, helping to  keep them alive for future generations.

Want to read last weeks post, you can do so here.