AST310H1

Indigenous Methodologies for Astronomy

This course explores the complex nature of Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of knowing. Indigenous methods and worldviews have contributed to major scientific discoveries across disciplines, including astronomy, ecology, and climatology, throughout history and continue to inform transformative innovations today. Astronomy is central to understanding our place in the Universe and the relationships between land, sky, and community. Through careful observation of natural cycles and celestial phenomena, Indigenous knowledge systems illuminate the interconnectedness of all things. Students will engage in an in-depth exploration of astronomy, the Solar System, and the night sky through the lens of Indigenous knowledges, primarily those of Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island. The course examines how Indigenous methodologies contribute to technological development and sustainable knowledge integration in ways that help preserve the fragile equilibrium of Earth's ecosystems. Students will also examine the intersections of Western astronomy with ongoing colonial structures, considering the responsibilities of astronomers in respecting treaties and upholding Indigenous rights. Course content will be integrated into a framework that enables students to critically assess scientific initiatives such as space exploration and the development of observational facilities through Indigenous-informed perspectives.