
In the Footsteps of the Traveller
The Astronomy of Northern Dene
Chris M. Cannon(Author)
University of Manitoba Press
Published on 10. April 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
312 pages
978-1-77284-098-8 (ISBN)
Description
In the Footsteps of the Traveller, the first in-depth study on Northern Dene astronomy, reveals the significance of the sky and its contents to Northern Dene life, language, and culture through collaboration with more than sixty-five Dene Elders and culture bearers across thirty-four communities in Alaska and Canada.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Winnipeg
Canada
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
57 colour illustrations, 4 maps
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
827 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-77284-098-8 (9781772840988)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Chris Cannon has worked with Northern Dene Elders and communities across Alaska and Canada since 2008. He is Assistant Professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and serves on the editorial board for the Alaska Native Language Center. Chris is from Helena, Montana and has lived in Alaska since 2001.
Content
- List of Illustrations
- List of Tables
- Foreword by Chief Fred Sangris
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- The Northern Dene
- A Note on Dene Orthographies
- 1. The Traveller Constellation: Part I
- The Gwich’in Constellation, Yahdii
- The Ahtna Constellation, Nek'eltaeni
- The Lower Tanana Constellation, Nogheyoli
- The Sahtúot’ı̨nę Constellation, Yíhda
- Conclusion
- 2. The Traveller Constellation: Part II
- The Tanacross Constellation, Neek'e'elteen
- The Upper Tanana Constellation, Yihda or Nek'e'eltiin
- The Yellowknives Dene Constellation, Yèhdaa or Yı̀hda
- The Koyukon Constellation, Ghededzuyhdle or Naagheltaale
- The Upper Kuskokwim Constellation, Noghiltale
- The Dëne Sułiné Constellation, Yéhda or Yeda
- The Dena’ina Constellation, Yuq'eltaeni or Naq'eltaeni
- Supporting Evidence from the Literature
- Conclusion
- 3. Stellar Time-Reckoning, Weather Forecasting, and Wayfinding
- Divisions of Time
- Stellar Time-Reckoning
- Introduction to Northern Dene Stellar Wayfinding
- Yellowknives Dene Stellar Wayfinding
- Gwich'in Stellar Wayfinding
- Stellar Wayfinding Discussion
- Stars and Planets in Weather Forecasting
- Conclusion
- 4. The Sun, Moon, and Eclipses
- The Sun
- The Moon
- Eclipses
- Conclusion
- 5. Beings of the Atmosphere: Part I
- Northern Lights
- Meteors
- Halo Phenomena
- Conclusion
- 6. Beings of the Atmosphere: Part II
- Rainbows
- Thunderbirds
- Deterring Unfavourable Weather
- Colours of the Sky
- Conclusion
- 7. Knowing, Being, and Relating
- Appendix A: Northern Dene Names for the Traveller
- Appendix B: The Cosmic Hunt in Northern Dene Cultures
- Notes
- References
- Index