Indigenous peoples have observed and understood the sky for thousands of years. Their knowledge of the Moon, stars and seasons is woven into stories, calendars, navigation and ways of living on the land and sea. These resources focus on the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest, with some broader Indigenous sources.
Where possible, we have listed resources created by, or in partnership with, Indigenous communities and knowledge keepers first. Some older books were compiled by non-Indigenous authors, and their titles and language reflect their time. We welcome suggestions. Please contact us (see also our 2020 post about help with Pacific Northwest First Nations astronomy).
Pacific Northwest and British Columbia
Online
- Saanich Moons (SD63 Indigenous Education) – the 13 W̱SÁNEĆ moons, with SENĆOŦEN pronunciations
- The Saanich Year (PDF) – Earl Claxton Sr. and John Elliott Sr., Saanich Indian School Board, 1993
- Saltwater People (PDF) – as told by Dave Elliott Sr., edited by Janet Poth, School District 63 (Saanich), 1983; hosted by the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council
- Haida Calendar: the moons of the year – Haida language blog by Gíihlgiigaa (Todd DeVries)
- Cultural Astronomy of the Indigenous Peoples of British Columbia – Grant Keddie, former Curator of Archaeology, Royal BC Museum
- Star stories from many Nations, including the Pacific Northwest (WWU Planetarium)
Books
- The Sun and The Moon, Celestine Aleck, illustrated by Cole Good, Strong Nations Publishing, 2016. A Coast Salish story for young readers.
- The Raven Steals the Light, Bill Reid and Robert Bringhurst, drawings by Bill Reid, Douglas & McIntyre / University of Washington Press, 1996 (first published 1984).
- Indian Legends of the Pacific Northwest, Ella E. Clark, illustrated by Robert Bruce Inverarity, University of California Press, 1953 (reissued 2003).
Indigenous sky knowledge across Canada and North America
Online
- Indigenous ways of knowing (Canadian Space Agency) – including Thirteen Moons with Wilfred Buck
- Acak Wuskwun – Ininew (Cree) star knowledge from Wilfred Buck
- Native Skywatchers – Indigenous star maps and resources led by Annette S. Lee
- Moon names from many Nations (WWU Planetarium)
Books
- Tipiskawi Kisik: Night Sky Star Stories, Wilfred Buck, Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, 2018. Publisher’s page
- They Dance in the Sky: Native American Star Myths, Jean Guard Monroe and Ray A. Williamson, Houghton Mifflin, 1987.
- Stars of the First People: Native American Star Myths and Constellations, Dorcas S. Miller, Pruett Publishing, 1997.
Links last reviewed September 2026. Found a broken link or have a suggestion? Please contact us.