“Twinkle twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.” From an early age, stories and songs spark our curiosity about the night sky.

As educators, we build on that curiosity by teaching about stars and constellations using charts, models, and astronomy guides. We can deepen this learning by integrating Indigenous constellation teachings, which offer cultural, spiritual, and land-based perspectives on the night sky. 

Indigenous constellation teachings are deeply connected to place, language, and community. These teachings share stories about relationships, seasonal cycles, and responsibilities to the land. By bringing these teachings into the classroom, we can enrich learning while honouring Indigenous ways of knowing and supporting more meaningful, inclusive education.

Place-Based Knowledge 

Indigenous constellation teachings are not universal. While many Indigenous Nations understand the stars through their relationships to the land, animals, and seasonal cycles, each Nation carries its own teachings, stories, and interpretations that are shaped by place, language, and lived experience.

When deciding which teachings to bring into the classroom, consider whose Traditional Territory you are teaching on. You can use Whose Land to locate the Traditional Territories you’re on and to begin learning which Nations’ knowledge systems are most closely connected to your local context.

Sharing multiple Indigenous perspectives on the night sky helps learners understand that knowledge is shaped by place and culture. This approach encourages curiosity, respect, and critical thinking, while reinforcing that Indigenous knowledge is diverse, dynamic, and deeply rooted in relationships with the land.

Resources for Learning About Indigenous Constellation Teachings 

Building your own background knowledge is an important first step if you want to integrate Indigenous constellation teachings into your lessons. Exploring trusted, Nation-specific resources can help you understand how star knowledge connects to land, language, identity, and seasonal cycles, while also modelling respectful learning practices for learners.

Gizhebaa Giizhig: Revolving Sky, created by Anishinaabe educator and Traditional Ecological Knowledge specialist Michael Wassegijig Price, shares Anishinaabe star stories and teachings that connect constellations to land and responsibility. 

Ojibwe.net offers an extensive collection of Ojibwe language and culture learning resources: Anishinaabe Astronomy and Identity explores how celestial knowledge shapes Anishinaabe worldview and cultural identity, while Moons and Days highlights how moon cycles guide seasonal timekeeping, language, and relationships to the land. 

The Native Skywatchers initiative seeks to remember and revitalize Indigenous star and earth knowledge. This website offers an extensive, well-curated collection of Indigenous-led astronomy resources, including star maps, artwork, and educational materials. These classroom-ready visuals and STEM connections support the teaching of Indigenous astronomy rooted in Two-Eyed Seeing pedagogy. 

Together, these resources provide multiple ways of thoughtfully integrating Anishinaabe and Ojibwe perspectives into astronomy learning.

Honouring Protocols and Building Relationships

Introducing Indigenous constellation teachings into your lessons is an excellent opportunity to connect with a local Elder or Knowledge Keeper. Before inviting a guest speaker into your classroom, ensure you understand and follow appropriate Protocols. 

Respectfully following Protocols ensures learners receive an authentic and meaningful learning experience. It also fosters reconciliation by building respectful relationships and honouring Indigenous knowledge systems. Localizing your teachings within the context of neighbouring Indigenous communities is essential. Contact your local Friendship Centre for support and guidance if you’re unsure where to begin. 

Weaving Indigenous Constellation Teachings into Curriculum

Indigenous constellation teachings naturally connect to multiple areas of the curriculum. As you explore ways of bringing this knowledge into your classroom, reflect on how these teachings can connect to your curriculum and enhance learning and engagement across subjects such as science, social studies, language arts, and visual arts.

Here are some guiding questions to help you get started:

• What connections can I make between Indigenous constellation teachings and the science outcomes I already teach about astronomy?
• How might storytelling deepen learners’ understanding of the stars and seasonal cycles?
• Are there opportunities to include art projects that allow learners to visually represent what they’ve learned about constellations from an Indigenous worldview?

Reflecting on these questions can help you design interdisciplinary lessons that honour Indigenous ways of knowing while enriching your teaching practice.

Bringing Indigenous Constellation Teachings to the Classroom 

Incorporating Indigenous constellation teachings into your lessons enhances the learning experience and helps learners develop a deeper appreciation for Indigenous cultures and their connections to the universe. Hands-on activities honouring these teachings can inspire learners to view the stars in a new way, connecting them to stories, meanings, and traditions beyond the night sky.

Engagement with Indigenous constellation teachings can take many forms. For example:

• Art Projects: Learners can use various media such as painting, drawing, 3D models, or loose parts to recreate a constellation.
• Night Sky Exploration: Encourage families to explore the night sky together. 
• STEM: Incorporate star charts or astronomy apps to explore the night sky.
• Storytelling: Consider organizing a Storytelling Day. Invite Elders to share the spiritual meanings represented within the constellations. 

Bringing Indigenous constellation teachings into your classroom doesn’t just teach learners about the stars—it helps them connect with the rich cultural stories and teachings behind them. It also provides learners with an excellent opportunity to be open-minded and explore new perspectives that support reconciliation. Through creative and hands-on activities, you can inspire curiosity and encourage your learners to see the night sky in a whole new way.

Education shapes our understanding of the world and one another. It sets the foundation for a brighter, more equitable future. All students should see themselves in what they learn and feel that their culture and history are respected and valued. Yet, the current education system often fails to do this for Indigenous students. 

This post offers six practical ways educators can support Indigenous education and advocate for meaningful change across schools and communities. 

Tip 1: Learn About Indigenous History and Education

Supporting Indigenous education begins with understanding the histories that shape today’s realities. Learn about the experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, including the harm caused by residential schools and other assimilationist policies. 

By deepening your knowledge, you can recognize why system-level changes are necessary and speak about them with confidence. Share what you learn with colleagues, friends, and family. The more people who understand this history, the stronger the collective support for change becomes.

Tip 2: Build Relationships With Indigenous Communities

Advocacy must be grounded in relationships. Indigenous communities know what their children need, so educators should listen closely and ensure their voices inform any proposed changes.

Start by connecting with local Indigenous organizations, attending public community-run events, or reaching out to your local Friendship Centre. If you’re unsure where to start, our blog post, “Hosting Indigenous Guest Speakers and Events,” offers helpful starting points.

Become an ally. Stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities and support their efforts for improved education. This means listening to their stories, respecting their knowledge, and working together. Remember! Allies stand behind—not in front of—Indigenous Peoples.

Tip 3: Build a Culturally Inclusive Curriculum

A culturally inclusive classroom helps all learners feel valued and seen. When Indigenous perspectives, languages, histories, and worldviews are represented in everyday learning, students engage more deeply and develop a stronger sense of belonging. Educators can begin this process by incorporating Indigenous pedagogies and culturally relevant materials across subjects.

The Western education system and many provincial curricula often reinforce a single way of knowing. Review your provincial curriculum and examine how Indigenous Peoples and their histories are presented. For example, will students learn about Canada as a settler state, the history of residential schools, and other examples of systemic racism against Indigenous Peoples in Canada? If these topics are missing, consider how you can introduce them through meaningful conversations, contemporary resources, and Indigenous perspectives.

While these conversations can be challenging, recognizing how and when our current system reinforces inequality is an essential part of supporting Indigenous education. To learn more about why curricula are not neutral and how educators can begin to decolonize them, the Indigenous Guiding Principles for Curriculum Development Projects from the University of Calgary is a great place to start.

Tip 4: Advocate for Inclusive and Accurate Curriculum Change

Beyond classroom practice, educators can support Indigenous education by advocating for systemic change. You can voice your concerns when curriculum decisions may harm or exclude Indigenous students. Writing letters to school boards, attending school board meetings, or participating in curriculum consultations are meaningful ways to contribute to change.

You can also support programs that bring Elders and Knowledge Keepers into schools. Their stories and teachings enrich students’ understanding of Indigenous cultures and help shift curriculum development toward more accurate and inclusive representations.

Tip 5: Engage in Policy Advocacy for Indigenous Education

Policy advocacy is a powerful tool for long-term change. This work involves speaking with school leaders, trustees, and elected officials to highlight why Indigenous education matters and how policies can better reflect community needs. 

Change is possible. For example, the Toronto District School Board introduced a mandatory Indigenous literature course because of coordinated advocacy efforts.

Join advocacy groups, contribute to community initiatives, and help mobilize others to make a positive impact. Collective action strengthens messages and increases the likelihood of policy change. The more voices there are, the stronger the message will be. The First Nations Education Steering Committee is an excellent resource for BC-based educators who wish to undertake this work. 

Tip 6: Use Social Media and Other Digital Tools

Social media provides a vast platform to share information, amplify Indigenous voices, and connect with others who are committed to advancing Indigenous education. 

Use videos, stories, or infographics to raise awareness about issues affecting Indigenous students. Hashtags help expand your reach and connect your message to broader conversations. When more people engage, momentum for system-level change grows.

Conclusion

Supporting Indigenous education is essential for creating safe, inclusive, and meaningful learning spaces for all students. By learning about Indigenous histories, building relationships, advocating for inclusive curricula, engaging in policy work, and using digital tools, educators can help shape a more equitable future. Every action—no matter how small—contributes to long-lasting change.

Photo: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation walk in Montreal, Quebec (2025). Photo by Ryan O’Marra.