Sky & Telescope - June 2019 - 60

Park in the Dark

Long before we could peer into deep space, the indigenous
people who have called Glacier home for generations
looked at the sky with a unique vision. Members of the
Blackfoot Confederacy were, and still are, intertwined with
the world above us, and their daily lives honor and renew
these connections when they are retold.
Join the Party
Helen Augare Carlson and Melissa Weatherwax of the
"The key thing in Glacier is it's one of the truly dark sky
Blackfeet Community College in Browning, Montana,
places in America," says John Donovan, chairman of the
share these stories as part of Glacier National Park's star
board of the Glacier National Park Conservancy, the nonparties, where attendees have the opportunity to immerse
proﬁt arm of the park that funds a multitude of programs
themselves in the night sky and ancient lessons.
and projects. Because they recognize the importance of the
"[Glacier National Park] is all part of the territory," says
night sky, they enthusiastically fund the astronomy efforts.
Carlson. "We see it all as special. All of our land has a
"The astronomy programs are among the most popular
things
the park does," notes Donovan. Each season, nearly
purpose."
30,000
people attend either daily solar viewing or nighttime
Carlson explains that star stories are part of their oral
stargazing,
as well as special star parties. The Conservancy
tradition, therefore there is no set "right" way to tell them.
understands
the need to do more.
They're often told using different details depending on the
storyteller, audience, and the context of what needs to be
Jewel in the Crown of the Continent
taught in that particular instance.
Building on this realization, Glacier will reveal its new"One story connects to the rest," she says. "It's connectest addition to the astronomy program in the early sumed on [the theme of] how to learn to live a good life. It's not
mer of 2019. With the blessing of the National Park Service
a religion. It's a way of life. The knowledge is still there. All
and funding by the Glacier National Park Conservancy, a
these stories of how indigenous people understood their
12.5-foot-diameter SkyShed POD Max dome observatory was
environment go back to the energy of the place."
set up just beyond the parking lot boundary at the St. Mary
Melissa Weatherwax shares a
Visitor Center.
story of Ursa Major:
Lee Rademaker, lead Interpreter
Naatosi (the Sun) and Koin
the
Hudson Bay District based
komiikiisom (the Moon) had a
out
of
St. Mary, is a ﬁ xture of
falling out. Kokomiikiisom was
the
astronomy
programs and is
angry with Naatosi and their
equally
enthusiastic
about the new
seven sons, who ran from their
equipment. "Our telescope is a
mother in her anger. To slow
PlaneWave 20-inch CDK," he says,
Kokomiikiisom, Naatosi gave
"and that will tour around the
each son a special gift. Each time
night sky on top of a Paramount
Kokomiikiisom drew near, they
ME II robotic telescope mount. We
could use that gifted power to
will use a MallinCam SkyRaider
escape. As a result, they created
DS10c to feed two 55-inch monithe canyons, rivers, lakes, mountors mounted on the outside of the
tains, weather, and forests. When
observatory with high-resolution
Kokomiikiisom came close to the
images of the night sky."
youngest brother, he propelled
"People are going to be awehimself and his brothers into the
struck with it," enthuses Russ
sky, forming what is now called
Lucas, a volunteer park astronoIshkitsi-kammiks, or Ursa Major.
mer and member of the Big Sky
To fully appreciate these stoAstronomy Club who has been
ries, attend one of the star parties
with the program since its incepwhere members of the Blackfoot
tion. "None of us can wait. This is
Confederacy share their history
going to be the jewel."
and lessons, bringing us all togethThe telescope will be powerful
THE MAGIC HOUR The Milky Way stretches across
er under the night sky.
enough to see into deep space,
a darkening sky above Logan Pass.
and the plan is to focus on more
60

J U N E 2 019 * SK Y & TELESCOPE

NPS / JACOB W. FR A NK / PUBLIC DO M AIN

Blackfeet Star Stories

ers of the park's astronomy program. Rather, parks have been
established to preserve natural or cultural landmarks, with
dark-sky designations awarded later by organizations such as
the IDA. He points out that when Glacier was established in
1910 administrators didn't recognize the value of the night
skies because light pollution wasn't an issue. Fortunately, we
still have dark skies at Glacier to show the next generation.

Sky & Telescope - June 2019

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