Bgwenegizhek [Hole in the Sky]
The negosek (stars) and their constellations help steer our thoughts and teachings, as much of our ancient knowledge originates from the sky. Each season the sky changes and familiar constellations are seen again.
Hole in the Sky refers to jiské (shaking tent), one of our oldest healing ceremonies. To cure the sick, a jiskyéwnene (medicine person) must communicate and connect with spirits. In order to make these connections, a special lodge or tent known as a jiskan is built, serving as the doorway to the spirit world. Traditionally, seven poles were used to frame the tent, each pole connected to a star in the Bgwenégizhek constellation. The empty region in the center of the constellation or “Hole in the Sky” is the open door that spirits pass through on their way to the jiskan. These connections were so powerful that the tent would shake and strange sounds heard from within. The Bgwenégizhek constellation can be found in the ancient Greek constellation of Pleiades.
