Cosmic Queries – Native Skywatchers with Dr. Annette Lee

About This Episode

What does the night’s sky look like for Indigenous peoples? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Negin Farsad take a deep dive into the constellation map of Indigenous skies with professor Annette Lee. 

What do the constellations look like for Indigenous cultures? What is “kapenmi”? We discuss the connection between earth and sky as they echo different teachings. What is “etuaptmumk”? Find out about the skywatching traditions of Ojibwe, Lakota, Aboriginal groups and Annette’s work with Native Skywatchers. What are current views on light pollution? 

Is it more than just light pollution? We break down our current connection to the skies and navigate modern distractions. Are current generations still looking up? Is our night sky going extinct as we know it? How has Indigenous sky tracking changed over time? How many constellations do we still have? We explore parallels in Indigenous and Western constellations, our connection to the moon, and some stories that connect us to the stars. 

How has science education changed over the last decade? How do you help underrepresented groups to see themselves as STEM professionals? What are our favorite objects in the night sky that can be seen with a naked eye? What’s the farthest object we can see unaided? Plus, discover the ubiquity of the Pleiades across many cultures and what other themes that carry through their mythology. 

Thanks to our Patrons Nickalos Early, s0upik, Alex Redner, Dustin Dunston, Dawn Carter, JD Holwick, and Loyd Elmore Jr for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.