Makoċe Wicaŋḣpi Wowapi – D(L)akota Star Map
Figure 23 - Makoċe Wicaŋḣpi Wowapi – D(L)akota Star Map, Created by A. Lee, J. Rock, 2012
“Makoċe Wicaŋḣpi Wowapi – D(L)akota Star Map”, was created by A. Lee, J. Rock, ©2012. The map was
designed so that the Wicaŋḣipi Owanjila, North Star, Polaris, is at the center of the map. This reflects the motion in
the night sky – the North Star-Polaris appears to be a ‘motionless point’ about which all other stars in the sky appear
to rotate around counter-clockwise (CCW) as viewed from the Northern Hemisphere.
Moving outwards from center, Dakota constellations of each of the four seasons are painted in pointillism style by
A. Lee. Brighter Greek constellations are shown in whispers of light burnt sienna. Dimmer Greek constellations are
visible in pen or simply pencil. Galloping horses, stars, and other beadwork designs are displayed along the border.
Lesson One – Which Way is North… ñ D(L)akota version
Part 1. - Introductory Discussion. Ask the group “Which way is North?” have students/participants point to the
direction in the room that is north.
Ø Ø Ø Ø Which way is North?
How do you know?
Why is it important?
How do we say ‘North’ in D(L)akota?
Ø What are the D(L)akota constellations in the Northern night sky?
On Earth:
Place a large letter ëNí in this direction and/or the D(L)akota word ëWaziyataí
Using place specific landmarks, like the Mississippi River flows north to south or the direction of sunset/sunrise
east-west or using a smart phone compass app are some of the ways of knowing northÖ Note: Often people will
point in many different directions.
In the Sky:
In the Northern sky is where we find the North Star, Polaris. This star is special because it is directly above the
Earthís North Pole. As the Earth rotates each day on its axis, the North Star ñ Polaris appears motionless1. The exact
point above the Earthís North Pole is called the ìNorth Celestial Pole (NCP).
Imagine you are the Earth. As you rotate around your (vertical) rotation axis, there is a point on the ceiling directly
above your head that appears not to move!
The North Star ñ Wiċaŋḣpi Owaŋjila is also special because it reflects (like a mirror) our position on Earth. (updown, or equivalently north-south from the equator of Earth)
For example, at latitude +45°, the North Star-Polaris is 45° above the horizon. If we travel further north and look at
the stars, then the North Star will be seen higher in the north sky! If we travel further south, towards the equator,
then the North Star-Polaris will be seen closer to the horizon (or 0°). The North Star is a compass in the sky! It has
been used for thousands of years for navigation, this is called ìcelestial navigationî.
Summary Points:
Ø The North Star, Polaris is always2 found in the north direction. It is a compass.
Ø The height of the North Star, Polaris above the horizon is the same as how far you are above the Equator.
It is a reflection of where you are.
Ø The North Star is located directly above the Earth ës rotation axis and so appears motionless.
Ø All other stars in the night sky appear to move in a CCW direction around the North Star. In some cultures,
it is considered a ëleaderí b/c of this.
Ø Waziyata is North in D(L)akota.
Ø Wiċaŋḣpi Owaŋjila is the The North Star in D(L)akota.
Ø The orientation of the Big Dipper with respect to the North Star as viewed a few hours after sunset can be
used like a calendar because it changes with the season.
o Winter ñ vertically upside down to the right of the North Star ñ like an icicle
o Spring ñ horizontally upside down, above the North Star ñ like a bucket pouring water ëSpring
showersí
o Summer ñ vertically right side up, to the left of the North Star ñ like a blade of grass or shovel
o Fall ñ low on the horizon ñ like a basket, ëwe fill our basketsí in the fall.
1
2
There is a very small wobble of 0.75° about the North Celestial Pole (NCP).
For approximately 1000 years Polaris will be the North Star. The minimum angular separation will occur ~2100 AD. Figure 24 - Big Dipper as a seasonal calendar, as viewed a few hours after sunset
Figure 25 – Long exposure photo centered on the North Star, Polaris shows the circumpolar motion, photo by I. Bernick, 2014
D(L)AKOTA CONSTELLATIONS found in the NORTHERN NIGHT SKY:
• To/Tuŋ Wiŋñ Blue/Birth Spirit Woman (corresponds with the Big Dipper/Plough in Ursa
Major)
Midwives and others pray to the Blue/Birth Woman Spirit so
newborn babies will enter this world safely. She is a doorkeeper
between worlds.
Also known as̨ Wiċakiyuhapi - Stretcher -Big Dipper - Bowl &
Waßihdapi/Waßiglapi ñ Mourners. The Stretcher carries a person
that has passed away into the spirit world. These are the four stars
on the bowl of the Big Dipper. The Mourners are the three handle
stars that are carrying the deceased.
Oceti Ṡakowiŋ - Seven Sacred Council Fires of the Dakota, Lakota
and Nakota nations.
Wiċakiyuhapi/ĊanĊinßka - the Dipper/Wooden spoon The Big Dipper is part of the 'Pipe Ceremony in the Stars'
each year at sunrise on the Spring Equinox.
o Find in To/Tuŋ Wiŋñ Blue/Birth Spirit Woman tonight’s sky.
o Earth-Sky Connection - Cultural connections
§ We come from the stars, Wiċaŋḣpi.
§ Cord ceremony.
§ Kapemni
§ Wanaġi Taċaŋku - Road of the Spirits, Milky Way
Figure 26 – Kapemi diagram by A. Lee
Figure 27 – close-up, Blue Spirit Woman, by A. Lee, 2014
⇒ Art Connection - close up of painting: Blue Spirit Woman, by A. Lee, 2014
The stars are a ̇guidebook̇ or roadmap for D(L)akota people. The journey from the Spirit/Star
world to the Earth/Material World is:
ü Wanaġi Taçaŋku - Road of the Spirits, Milky Way
ü Oċeti/Peta ñ Fireplace/Fire, head of Leo
ü To/Tuŋ Wiŋñ Blue/Birth Spirit Woman
Figure 28 ñ the D(L)akota path through the stars: Womb, Sweat Lodge Purification, then Blue Woman
Note: the Wanaġi Taċaŋku - Road of the Spirits, Milky Way is the kapemni pair with the sacred star site, the
Mississippi River. (Ref. Jim Rock)
• Wakiŋyan ñ Thunderbird (corresponds with the Draco and part of Ursa Minor)
The Wakiŋyan - Thunderbird constellation lies at the center of the
precession circle. The heart of the thunderbird is the center
of the circle. Because the Sun and Moon pull on the Earth,
it wobbles like a top as it orbits. It is a small effect, but is
noticeable over thousands of years. One complete wobble is
26,000 years. This means that Polaris is above the North
Pole today and for the next 1000 years, but this will change.
For example, 5000 years ago the star Thuban (a bright star in Draco)
served as the 'North star' for the Egyptians
when the pyramids were built.
• Wiċaŋḣpi Owaŋjila - (corresponds with the North Star/Polaris)
According to Victor Douville (Rosebud Lakota), one story tells of
how the North Star married Toŋwiŋ, a human woman. She lived in
the star world with him but missed her home. One day she dug up a
turnip (even though she was told not to) and there was a hole.
Through this hole she could see everyone back home. She fell threw
the hole. Her son survived and later became the hero, Fallen Star.
North Star was so sad from loosing his wife that he froze in
the same spot. According to Madeline White, (Sisseton Dakota),
Wiċaŋḣpi Cekpa or Twin Star is the mother of the Fallen Star hero.
She and her beautiful twin sister both married handsome star men
and were taken into the star world above. While there she dug up the
turnip which made the hole through which she unsuccessfully tried
to lower herself back down to Earth.
o Find Wiċaŋḣpi Owaŋjila and Wakiŋyan ñ Thunderbird -in tonight’s sky.
o Earth-Sky Connection - Cultural connections.
• Power to give life/Power to take life ~ Wakaŋ
o Astronomical connections.
• Precession, significance to being at the center of this 26,000-year cycle.
• Importance of Earthís stable axial tilt to support life.
• Importance of lightning.
Figure 29 - Precession of Earth's rotational axis due to the tidal
force raised on Earth by the gravity of the Moon and Sun. NASA
Figure 30- By Tauʻolunga,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Precession_N.gif
Figure 31 - Screen shot from D(L)akota skyculture on Stellarium
• Protocol. This material is rooted in D(L)akota culture. All efforts should be made to present
the material with the cultural authenticity. The ideal way to accomplish this is to have a
native person (D(L)akota) to present in collaboration. Seek out those elders or cultural
teachers in your area. These teachings come from a different system of knowing and there is
always some risk when non-native persons attempt to deliver it. For example, there are some
star stories that are only told when ‘there is snow on the ground’. Be respectful and careful.
MN K-12 Science Standards:
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3.1.3.2.1
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3.1.3.2.2
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0.1.1.2.1
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0.4.1.1.1
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1.1.1.1.1
✓
1.1.1.1.2
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5.1.3.2.1
✓ 5.1.1.1.4
Understand that everybody can use evidence to learn about the natural world, identify patterns in nature, and
develop tools. For example: Ojibwe and Dakota knowledge and use of patterns in the stars to predict and
plan.
Recognize that the practice of science and/or engineering involves many different kinds of work and engages
men and women of all ages and backgrounds.
Use observations to develop an accurate description of a natural phenomenon and compare one’s observations
and descriptions with those of others.
Understand that living things are diverse with many different observable characteristics…. Observe and
compare plants and animals.
Understand that scientists work as individuals and in groups to investigate the natural world, emphasizing
evidence and communicating with others. …When asked "How do you know?,” students support their answer
with observations.
Recognize that describing things as accurately as possible is important in science because it enables people to
compare their observations with those of others.
Describe how science and engineering influence and are influenced by local traditions and beliefs. For
example: Sustainable agriculture practices used by many cultures.
Understand that different models can be used to represent natural phenomena and these models have
limitations about what they can explain. For example: Different kinds of maps of a region provide different
information about the land surface.
Can be extended to include:
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5.1.3.4.2
Create and analyze different kinds of maps of the student's community and of Minnesota. For example:
Weather maps, city maps, aerial photos, regional maps, or online map resources.
Additional Resources and Suggestions
Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Read the D(L)akota Constellation Guidebook that accompanies this map.
Go outside and find the constellation in the night sky.
Tell a friend about one of the constellations you learned.
Invite an D(L)akota elder/language expert into the classroom.
Attend a Planetarium show.
Read Ron Goodman’s book “Lakota Star Knowledge”.
Visit recommended websites:
o http://web.stcloudstate.edu/aslee/DAKOTAMAP/home.html
o http://web.stcloudstate.edu/planetarium/native_skywatchers.html
o http://web.stcloudstate.edu/aslee/
o http://www.nativeskywatchers.com/
o https://filemaker.cla.umn.edu/dakota/
Ø Video Connection -à “Star Trail Time Lapse”, 1:25,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V3rmDG5J8A