Conceptual Dilemmas in Salish Asterism Reconstruction: “The Canoe", "Cast away Children", “Grizzly Bear in the Sky” and "Camas Baking Pit"

Event Date:
2026-03-02T16:00:00
2026-03-02T17:00:00
Event Location:
HENN 318
Speaker:
Dr. Shandin Pete, Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Science (EOAS) at UBC
Related Upcoming Events:
Astronomy Colloquia
Intended Audience:
Everyone
Local Contact:

Allison Man (aman@phas.ubc.ca) and Brett Gladman (gladman@astro.ubc.ca)

All are welcome to this event!

Event Information:

Abstract:

This presentation provides an overview and associated dilemmas encountered within the continuing work toward reconstructing Salish asterisms using ethnographic evidence from Salish-speaking communities across the Northwest. Drawing from documented ethnographies of the Salish (Montana), Schi̲tsu'umsh (Idaho), Nlakaʼpamux (British Columbia), Qlispel (Washington), and Syilx (British Columbia), this research highlights connected narratives surrounding four key asterisms: "The Canoe" (part of Orion), "Cast away Children" (Pleiades and surrounding stars), “Grizzly Bear in the Sky” (Dipper) and "Camas Baking Pit" (Auriga). 

This exploration not only sheds light on the diverse yet parallel cultural traditions of the Salish people but also contributes to a nuanced understanding of a once-unified astronomical body of knowledge. This research illustrates the importance of lived experience, archival and ethnographic research in resolving historical inconsistencies and potentially imposed interpretations while piecing together the astronomical traditions of the Salish speaking communities.

 

Bio:

Dr. Shandin Pete was raised in Nłq̓alqʷ (“Place of the thick trees”, Arlee, Montana). His mother is from the Bitterroot Band of Salish in Montana and his father is Diné from Beshbihtoh Valley in Arizona. He is a hydrogeologist and science educator with interest in Indigenous research methodologies, geoscientific ethnography, Indigenous astronomy, social-political tribal structures, culturally congruent instructional strategies, and indigenous science philosophies. Most of his work in recent years has focused on community engagement to understanding shifts in an Indigenous paradigm of research for science knowledge production. This work has included extensive collaboration with tribal knowledge holders across Native communities and Indigenous academic scholars at institutions nationally and internationally.

Learn More:

Resources:

Add to Calendar 2026-03-02T16:00:00 2026-03-02T17:00:00 Conceptual Dilemmas in Salish Asterism Reconstruction: “The Canoe", "Cast away Children", “Grizzly Bear in the Sky” and "Camas Baking Pit" Event Information: Abstract: This presentation provides an overview and associated dilemmas encountered within the continuing work toward reconstructing Salish asterisms using ethnographic evidence from Salish-speaking communities across the Northwest. Drawing from documented ethnographies of the Salish (Montana), Schi̲tsu'umsh (Idaho), Nlakaʼpamux (British Columbia), Qlispel (Washington), and Syilx (British Columbia), this research highlights connected narratives surrounding four key asterisms: "The Canoe" (part of Orion), "Cast away Children" (Pleiades and surrounding stars), “Grizzly Bear in the Sky” (Dipper) and "Camas Baking Pit" (Auriga).  This exploration not only sheds light on the diverse yet parallel cultural traditions of the Salish people but also contributes to a nuanced understanding of a once-unified astronomical body of knowledge. This research illustrates the importance of lived experience, archival and ethnographic research in resolving historical inconsistencies and potentially imposed interpretations while piecing together the astronomical traditions of the Salish speaking communities.   Bio: Dr. Shandin Pete was raised in Nłq̓alqʷ (“Place of the thick trees”, Arlee, Montana). His mother is from the Bitterroot Band of Salish in Montana and his father is Diné from Beshbihtoh Valley in Arizona. He is a hydrogeologist and science educator with interest in Indigenous research methodologies, geoscientific ethnography, Indigenous astronomy, social-political tribal structures, culturally congruent instructional strategies, and indigenous science philosophies. Most of his work in recent years has focused on community engagement to understanding shifts in an Indigenous paradigm of research for science knowledge production. This work has included extensive collaboration with tribal knowledge holders across Native communities and Indigenous academic scholars at institutions nationally and internationally. Learn More: View Shandin's faculty page at EOAS: https://www.eoas.ubc.ca/people/shandinpete  See his UBC Expert Profile: https://news.ubc.ca/expert/shandin-pete/  Read UBC article: "Reclaiming Indigenous tradition from Disneyfication" Read EOAS article: "Dr. Shandin Pete is the 2025 AGU Education Sector Dorothy LaLonde Stout Education Lecture Recipient" Watch Youtube video "24 questions with Dr. Shandin Pete" by the UBC Science Undergraduate Society Resources: The importance of ethnoastronomy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndi9sq-uLHk  Indigenous astronomy: how Salish people use the sky to tell time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBMvD_EhOys  Salish skies: an overview of continuing work toward reconstructing Salish asterisms using ethnographic evidence from Salish-speaking communities across the Northwest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcGPvz4iYlA  Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) World Asterisms Project Event Location: HENN 318