Neshnabé Nengosêk Kenomagéwen
Guided by an advisory board of Pokagon Band tribal citizens, Neshnabé Nengosêk Kenomagéwen (Potawatomi Star Knowledge) is a digital humanities project dedicated to making constellations, sky stories, and traditional knowledge about celestial events more accessible. The first phase of this work—a Potawatomi “Sky Culture” in Stellarium—is now complete. Future phases will build on this foundation through public programming and curricular resources designed to support educators, students, and community members in engaging more deeply with Potawatomi star knowledge.
Project Components
Preserve Potawatomi Traditional Knowledge for Future Generations
Digitally document and preserve Potawatomi knowledge related to astronomy, celestial navigation, and cosmology focusing on constellations, their names, associated stories, and seasonally specific practices.
Map Cultural Heritage
Develop 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.
Develop Culturally Relevant Curricular Resources
In collaboration with tribal Head Start instructors at Zagbëgon Early Learning & Development Academy, develop educational resources (website or user guide) to educate both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences about the importance of Potawatomi traditional knowledge and the relevance of Indigenous sciences more broadly.
For more information and updates on the project, please contact the Principal Investigator, Blaire Morseau, at morseaub at msu dot edu