Métis Astronomy
Travelling Overland Under the Sky
Indigenous peoples of Canada survived, travelled and created extensive trade networks. Métis peoples used their knowledge of navigation and wayfinding to traverse these networks. Navigation is planning a route towards a destination and using tools, symbols and methods to steer one's way along your path. Wayfinding is orientating oneself in terms of where you are within the land and sky scape. Establishing space and time is a cultural practice. Within Indigenous science, context is always important and occurs within a landscape, within a web of interrelationships. Indigenous science aims to comprehend the 360 degree context of the natural world including spirituality, community, creativity, and technologies that are core to survival.
The North Star and Wayfinding
Polaris or the North Star is an important point in the Canadian Sky. Click on the star to learn more about how the Métis peoples observed litwel di norr (North Star)
Seasonal Constellations
Seasonal shifts of constellations provided scientific, wayfinding and spiritual connections to the lives and travels and Métis Peoples.
Time Keeping and Lunar Months
Time and Space within the vastness of Canadian landscape and northern skies according to traditions of Métis Peoples.
Métis Maps and Trails
Trade and hunter gather economies followed trails that were established by Indigenous peoples who travelled the width and breath of North America for thousands of years. During the 18th century Métis hunters and traders utilized these trail systems as well as forging new trails that linked settlements and fur trade posts. Maps provide perspective of how the map maker interprets their time and space. Traveling via extensive waterways, portage or carrying boats and cargo overland was the Métis transport system of the fur trade. This map shows the use of old trails and Métis trails.
Métis Trails and Western Canada
The map we use today for Western Canada was created by bringing together the knowledge of the trails and waterways along with land sky connections. Cartographer and fur trader, David Thompson utilized the latest technology of the 18th century and triangulated latitude and longitude according to nautical tables and astronomical observations. Charlotte Small, a Métis linguist and guide, used her survival knowledge to travel across Rupertsland. Along with her husband Thompson, they brought together the traditional understanding of the land and sky with coordinate mapping technology.
Métis Science, History and Lifeways Resources
Encyclopedia of French Heritage in North America
http://www.ameriquefrancaise.org/en/article-488/M%C3%A9tis_Trails_of_Western_Canada_.html
The Canadian Encyclopedia
Fur Trade Networks - https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/fur-trade-routes
Charlotte Small - https://www.metismuseum.ca/michif_dictionary.php
David Thompson - https://canadaehx.com/2021/04/03/david-thompson/
Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/article/lifeways/
University of Winnipeg Ruperts Land
https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/rupertsland/primary-resources/archives.html