Neshnabé Nengosêk Kenomagewen
Guided by an advisory board of Pokagon Band tribal citizens, Neshnabé Nengosêk Kenomagewen (Potawatomi Star Knowledge) is a digital humanities project that aims to make the constellations, sky stories, and traditional knowledge about celestial events more accessible. Work on the project is currently underway with the first phase—a Potawatomi “Sky Culture” in Stellarium—expected to launch in May 2025. Future phases will include public program and curricular resources.
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