Atima Atchakosuk, the Dog Stars. 2024

Seven 24 inch cyanotype elkhide drums Installed at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. Photos by Sean Fenzl.

The Cree call the seven stars that make up the Little Dipper of the Ursa Minor constellation Atima Atchakosuk, the Dog Stars. 

Wilfred Buck tells us how dogs came to the people:

Long ago, the people had no dogs. There was no companion for a lonely child or help for the Elders on long forced marches to new campsites in search of food during times of famine. The people were always surprised when visitors, raiders, and marauding animals entered their camps; they had no warning system that would tell them when danger was near. Our natootim-uk, our relatives, the Wolf, Coyote and Fox saw this and were concerned.The wolves held a council and it was decided that they would send two of their own to live with the people. The council of Coyotes and council of Foxes also decided this same action.

Two pups from each of the councils were sent to all the four directions of humankind. They came, adapted, changed and flourished. From these gifts came all the dogs that now inhabit the world. These dogs now guard our homes, communities, camps, and loved ones.

To honor this sacrifice made by our natootim-uk, the Creator placed a reminder of the dogs in the heavens, which would forever be a guardian for humans. Polaris anchors the dogs’ leash as the dog runs around the circumference of the sky-camp, alert and ever on guard. The stars of this constellation, particularly those on the handle of the Little Dipper, represent the Wolf (Polaris), the Coyote (δ UMi) and the Fox (ε UMi); the four bowl stars represent the pups that were sent to the four directions of humankind.

Polaris is also known as Keewatin, the Going Home Star. It represents the northern direction and keewatinook – the north winds. It is an important star for people who live under the Ahkoop Atchakosuk, or blanket of stars. The Plains Cree called this star Ekakatchet Atchakos, the standing still star,as this star stood still while all the other stars danced around it.