Wilfred Buck

The constellations that are taught in schools on this North American continent originated with the Greeks or Romans. Why have we never sought out the images and stories of those native to this place? Especially since the forms given to the star groups are only obscurely representative of their names. This book gives a few of the tales associated with star clusters. It seems there can be more than one tale among the Cree for the same cluster, and that is fine with me, just took a while to get my mind to break free of a 1:1 relationship. For example, the cluster taught as Corona Borealis has a role as Matootisan (Sweat Lodge) and also as Tepakoop Pinesiusuk (the 7 hunters). What is more important are the qualities and lessons that were passed on within these stories.
I am happy the publisher is finding more star knowledge from other indigenous cultures to turn into books.
This very short book goes along with a (separately purchased) beautiful large Star Map. The map includes the illustration on page 19, with additional labeling.… (mehr)