Seed Grant Summer 2025 Report

Blaire Morseau

Background

Neshnabé Nengosêk Kenomagewen (Potawatomi Star Knowledge) is an Indigenous-centered digital humanities effort to sustain and share Potawatomi constellations, celestial stories, and teachings about the movements of the skies. The project’s core purpose is intergenerational: to return star knowledge to everyday use among Potawatomi families, especially youth, while offering non-Native learners a respectful window into a living intellectual tradition.

Rooted in Pokagon Band–led star knowledge gatherings (2019) and formalized through the Digital Scholarship Lab incubator (2023–2024), the project pairs careful cultural protocol with practical technology. Using Stellarium, a free, open-source planetarium used worldwide in classrooms and observatories, we are building a Potawatomi “sky culture” that renders Potawatomi constellations, names, narratives, and seasonal practices in place and time. This approach keeps the work accessible (web, desktop, and mobile), sustainable (open formats), and accountable (guided by an advisory committee with Potawatomi linguistic and cultural expertise). Artwork by Pokagon Band illustrator Aaron Martin aligns the digital renderings with Woodland-style visual language, reinforcing meaning through culturally resonant design. Together, these choices make the project not only a technical deliverable but a community stewardship model for celestial knowledge and a decolonial teaching tool that centers Potawatomi ways of seeing the night sky. 

Project Description

The purpose and rationale of this project is to preserve Potawatomi traditional knowledge for future generations by digitally documenting Potawatomi knowledge related to astronomy, celestial navigation, and cosmology focusing on constellations, their names, associated stories, and seasonally specific practices. By developing an interactive digital map using the free and open-source platform, Stellarium, to show the locations of Potawatomi constellations in the sky relative to users’ selected location and time of year, this project maps cultural heritage. It seeks to ultimately develop culturally relevant curricular resources. Digitizing Potawatomi constellations is a necessary first step to ensure the feasibility, sustainability, and efficacy of future phases.

Respecting Cultural Protocols

The necessity of a deliberate and cautious approach stemmed from the presence of culturally significant protocols concerning traditional knowledge stewardship within most, if not all, Indigenous communities with which Morseau is acquainted; this ensured that all necessary approvals were secured and that genuine interest in the project existed. The incubation period yielded considerable progress, such as investigating applicable technologies and formulating a feasible work plan; however, Morseau required consistent feedback as the project developed from an advisory committee with relevant Potawatomi linguistic and cultural knowledge. Quarterly meetings between the advisory committee and Morseau have been held since fall 2024. 

Accessible Software

As a free and open-source software, Stellarium offers users a real-time simulation of the night sky, thus facilitating the exploration of constellations, planets, and other celestial bodies as they would appear from any location at a given time. Due to its open-access and free availability, Stellarium was deemed the optimal choice for this project, maximizing accessibility for various audiences. The system offers users a choice of access methods: a web platform, a downloadable desktop application, and a mobile application. Using an existing app instead of developing one for this project (which was considered) is a more cost-effective and time-saving solution. Existing apps like Stellarium have already set user expectations and offer the level of customization required for this project.

Stellarium is widely used, respected, and considered reliable by both professional and amateur astronomers due to its accuracy, open-source nature, and extensive features. Not only does it offer realistic night sky simulation and constellations from various cultures, Stellarium benefits from contributions from a global community of developers and astronomers, ensuring regular updates and improvements. Its combination of precision, lifelike rendering, and versatility positions it as a leading choice for use in stargazing, education, and astronomical research. 

“Sky Culture”

Stellarium defines “sky culture” as a specific cultural understanding of the night sky, including constellations, star names, and the myths surrounding celestial bodies across diverse societies and historical contexts. The rudimentary components of a sky culture include labeled “stick figures” that delineate constellations and their relationships. Contributors frequently incorporate artwork to enrich the content and provide visual representations of the stick figures. There are over forty existing celestial cultures, enabling users to observe the night sky as perceived by various civilizations, including Western (Greco-Roman) constellations (the standard in modern astronomy), Indigenous nations (e.g., Lakota, Navajo, Inuit, and Hawaiian), and ancient systems (e.g., Egyptian, Babylonian, Chinese, and Hindu). Examination of these astronomical traditions reveals significant knowledge concerning how disparate groups across time and space have interpreted and represented celestial bodies, underscoring Stellarium’s potential as a valuable tool for both education and cross-cultural understanding.

Potawatomi Artwork

Artwork significantly enhances the quality of sky cultures in Stellarium, particularly when it aligns with the style, motifs, and cultural expressions of the community whose astronomical knowledge is represented. The transmission of celestial knowledge in many Indigenous and historical sky cultures is facilitated through oral traditions, symbolic imagery, and storytelling. The integration of such artistic styles in Stellarium enhances the credibility of celestial narratives and fosters a culturally rich user experience. For example, if the star lore of the Potawatomi people is depicted using traditional Woodland-style painting motifs, it visually reinforces the cultural worldview and cosmology of the community. The integration of sky culture artwork with historical and contemporary artistic traditions offers significant educational and interpretive merit, bridging modern digital tools and traditional learning methods. Educators, students, and researchers benefit from accurate visual storytelling, making Stellarium not just a scientific tool but a decolonial space that acknowledges and respects Indigenous and local knowledge.

In consultation with the advisory committee, we decided to reach out directly to an artist for this work rather than solicit blanket proposals. Aaron Martin, an illustrator and citizen of the Pokagon Band, has been working with the project team creating images for the astronomy program.

Outcomes

Software deliverable and access

The Potawatomi Sky Culture is publicly available for download via GitHub and is being iteratively updated as artwork is completed. Upon the planned November 2025 milestone, the sky culture will ship with standard Stellarium downloads/updates so that educators, families, and learners can access it without extra steps. This aligns our work with Stellarium’s supported “sky culture” format and distribution pathway, ensuring long-term maintainability and discoverability by global users.

Curation decisions and documentation

Many Potawatomi constellations can be represented by different figures and names depending on season and story (e.g., Western “Orion” as Ktthe Sabé, Nenikboz, or Bgak). For visual clarity in Stellarium, we selected one stick figure and one artwork per constellation and are documenting alternatives in the sky culture description so learners understand the plural nature of the tradition rather than a single fixed mapping. 

Art and data integration status. Most stick figures are complete, and a majority already have final artwork integrated (e.g., Bzhêké/Taurus, Ktthe Sabé/Orion, Mang/Ursa Minor, Mdodosenik/Pleiades, etc.). Remaining figures (e.g., Gigo/Delphinus, Moz/Pegasus, Nenikboz/Scorpius, Shkenigshêk égi-nsogmowat/Cassiopeia, Wthik/Ursa Major, Thethak/Summer Cross) are awaiting artwork. Each integration pass updates metadata, narrative notes, and forthcoming Creative Commons licensing.

Educational and community impacts (anticipated)

Making Potawatomi constellations visible in a mainstream astronomy tool supports:

• Classroom use across grade bands with culturally relevant science content, seasonal observation, language learning, and storywork; 
• Family and community star nights that connect teachings to on-the-land practice; 
• Instructor adoption via ready-to-use software and a forthcoming user guide/lesson plans co-developed with tribal Head Start educators. 

Status of stick figures and artwork into Stellarium: 

Potawatomi Constellation Name	English Translation	Corresponding Western Constellation	Stick Figure	Artwork	Status
Bzhêké	Bison	Taurus	X	X	COMPLETE
Gigo	Fish	Delphinus	X		awaiting artwork
Ktthe Sabé	Bigfoot	Orion	X	X	COMPLETE
Mang	Loon	Ursa Minor	X	X	COMPLETE
Mdodosenik	Sweat Lodge Stones	Pleiades	X	X	COMPLETE
Mdodoswen	Sweat Lodge	Corona Borealis	X	X	COMPLETE
Mëk	Beaver	Gemini	X	X	COMPLETE
Mko Shtegwan	Bear Head	Summer Triangle	X	X	COMPLETE
Mo’ëwé	Wolf	Canis Major	X	X	COMPLETE
Moz	Moose	Pegasus	X		awaiting artwork
Mshignébêk	Big Snake	Hydra	X	X	COMPLETE
Mshiké	Turtle	Capella	X	X	COMPLETE
Nambezho	Underwater Panther	Leo	X	X	COMPLETE
Nenikboz	Nanabozho	Scorpius	X		awaiting artwork
Shkenigshêk égi-nsogmowat	Three Brothers Floating in a Canoe	Cassiopeia	X		awaiting artwork
Thethak	Crane	Summer Cross	X		awaiting artwork
Wénondeshik	One Who is Exhausted	Hercules	X	X	COMPLETE
Wthik	Fisher	Ursa Major	X		awaiting artwork

Some examples:

• Moewe – Wolf constellation in Stellarium

• Mdodo Senik – Sweat Stones constellation in Stellarium

• Screenshot of Mang – Loon constellation in Stellarium

Future Directions

Future phases will include public programs and the development of curricular resources for multiple grade levels. In collaboration with tribal Head Start instructors at Zagbëgon Early Learning & Development Academy, future phases of this project will include developing educational resources such as user guides and teacher lesson plans to educate both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences about the importance of Potawatomi traditional knowledge.

Building on the public release and continual iteration of the Potawatomi sky culture in Stellarium and its planned inclusion in standard Stellarium downloads/updates, which ensures long-term access for educators, families, and community learners, our next phase expands programming and curricular resources across campus, community, and regional dark-sky settings. Some preliminary plans are listed below.

Public Programs & Partnerships

On-Campus at MSU 

• Star Knowledge Nights @ the campus observatory/planetarium: Live sky tours using Stellarium’s Potawatomi sky culture, paired with short talks on cultural protocol and storywork. Sessions scaffolded for families, K–12 field trips, and university courses. 
• Workshop series for MSU instructors and graduate TAs: Quick-start training on running Potawatomi sky sessions, integrating stories responsibly, and adapting the lessons to different disciplines (astronomy, Indigenous Studies, language, art/design). 

In-Community on Tribal Lands in Michigan 

• Seasonal star gatherings led by community educators: Co-designed evenings that emphasize observation-in-place, seasonal practices, and intergenerational learning—extending the project’s core goal to return star knowledge to everyday family life.  
• Portable “Stellarium-to-Go” kits: Laptops/tablets with the sky culture preloaded, printed story prompts, and activity cards for community educators and Head Start teachers.

At State Parks & Dark-Sky Regions (e.g., Sleeping Bear Dunes) 

• Dark-sky interpretive programs: Park-hosted stargazing that layers Potawatomi constellations with land-based teachings and seasonal stories; programs tailored for the public and for ranger/interpretive staff professional development. 
• “Sky & Story” family activity trail: A self-guided, printed/map-based experience that pairs on-site viewing with Stellarium screenshots and QR codes linking to short audio clips. 

Curricular Resources (Specific, Ready-to-Use)

In collaboration with tribal Head Start instructors at Zagbëgon Early Learning & Development Academy, we will develop grade-banded, discipline-spanning resources that educators can adopt directly.  

Early Childhood / Head Start 

• Picture-card constellation sets (Potawatomi names + artwork) for sorting/matching, language play, and story sequence. 
• Circle-time mini-lessons (10–15 min): “Find Mdodosenik (Pleiades),” call-and-response vocabulary, and a simple “make the pattern with dots” craft. 
• Family take-home sheets with evening sky prompts and QR links to Stellarium web view. 

Primary users: Head Start teachers, family educators, and caregivers. 

Upper Elementary (Grades 3–5) 

• “Constellation & Season” stations: Students use Stellarium to compare Potawatomi and Western constellations, then complete a graphic organizer on seasonal appearance and related practices. 
• Language-across-the-curriculum: Word banks, pronunciation guides, and simple sentence frames for describing sky patterns. 
• Primary users: Classroom teachers, media specialists, after-school coordinators. 

Middle School / High School 

• Inquiry lab: “One Sky, Many Mappings” — Students investigate how different sky cultures organize stars, then reflect on how knowledge systems shape observation and science. Includes a short reading on cultural protocols and respectful use. 
• Project: Seasonal Sky Journals — Students log weekly Stellarium observations, connect them to Potawatomi teachings, and propose a community-facing infographic. 
• Primary users: Science teachers (astronomy/earth science), social studies, Native studies, and art teachers.  

Undergraduate / Graduate 

• Module for Astronomy & Physics labs: Measuring angular distances and star paths inside Stellarium using Potawatomi mappings; reflection prompts on epistemology and ethics in data representation. 
• Seminar unit for Religious Studies / American Indian & Indigenous Studies: Storywork, cosmology, and decolonial pedagogy—students facilitate a public mini-planetarium session as a praxis assignment. 
• Digital Humanities assignment: Students contribute to a public-facing glossary or annotated star-map layer (e.g., adding citations or seasonal notes to the sky culture description) following community-guided protocols.  

Instructor Tooling & Accessibility 

Instructor User Guide with: 

• Quick-start setup for web/desktop/mobile Stellarium; 
• Suggested 10-, 30-, and 60-minute agendas; 
• Slides/screenshot banks and printable star cards using the project artwork; 
• Safety and cultural-protocol tips for night programs; 
• Assessment rubrics (participation, reflection, community-impact artifacts). 

Lesson Plan Packs aligned to grade bands and adaptable to family nights, aligning with the report’s plan for ready-to-use adoption.  

Content & Artwork Completion to Support Teaching

As remaining constellation artwork is finalized and integrated (e.g., Gigo/Delphinus; Moz/Pegasus; Nenikboz/Scorpius; Shkenigshêk égi-nsogmowat/Cassiopeia; Wthik/Ursa Major; Thethak/Summer Cross), each update will refresh metadata, narrative notes, and open-license documentation so teachers can confidently use images in class materials.

Anticipated Impact

These directions directly operationalize the overall project’s outcomes and anticipated uses: culturally relevant classroom learning across grade bands, family and community star nights connected to on-the-land practice, and straightforward instructor adoption via supported materials and distribution through Stellarium.