Arlee students view stars through Crow culture
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ARLEE — The next time Arlee students peer into the night sky, they may not only point out stars and constellations, but Spring Boy and Lodge Boy, two characters from Crow stories who live in the sky.
Tim McCleary, an instructor at Little Big Horn College in Crow Agency, Mont., was on hand to teach students about Crow stories and astronomy. The stars are important to Crow people, and they credit their origins to the stars.
McCleary has a bachelor’s degree in linguistics, a master’s in cultural anthropology and a PhD in anthropology. All of his education and research has involved the Crow people.
His interest in the Crow heritage and culture began with his family roots on the Crow Reservation. His father’s family lives in Lodge Grass, and McCleary spent part of his childhood growing up there. He has written a book called “The stars we know: Crow Indian Astronomy and Lifeways” which is in its second edition.
“The stories not only teach about astronomy but also morals and respect and how to act,” McCleary said.
Throughout the day McCleary told the stories of the seven brothers who make up the Big Dipper, the story of Morning Star or Sirius and the Divine Twins (Spring Boy and Lodge Boy) who helped create Orion or the “Hand Star” and represent Jupiter and Venus.
“These stories are the foundation of Crow philosophy and religion,” McCleary said.
Spring Boy is said to be the origin of the sweat lodge because he is taken into the sweat lodge in order to come to his senses. Students also learned that the time just before dawn, is known as “dark face time,” is also considered the holiest time of day and night.
The fourth Friday in September is American Indian Cultural Heritage Day, but since the Arlee School district is on a four day schedule, they celebrated Sept. 28.
“The state recognizes it on this day,” said Willie Wright, the American Indian curriculum coordinator for Arlee Schools.
“We wanted our children to be aware of it.”
Wright said last year the district brought in a speaker who combined music, history and culture.
This year’s presentation brought a mixture of science, history and literature.
Wright said she wanted students to not only recognize American Indian Cultural Heritage Day, but also see how different cultures see the world.
