Indigenous Wisdom and the World Under the Snow

Ojibwe Elders bring Traditional Ecological Knowledge to SnowSchool

Photo courtesy of Cable Natural History Museum

By Kerry McClay, National SnowSchool Director (12/4/24)

Last week at our 5th Annual National SnowSchool Conference, over 70 SnowSchool educators and program coordinators from around the country gathered to share ideas and hear about the latest SnowSchool developments, including a special presentation about Traditional Ecological Knowledge of the subnivean (under-snow) ecosystem.

Cable Natural History Museum, a long standing SnowSchool site, recently partnered with Ojibwe Elders and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Consultants to create a new interactive exhibit— Anaamaagon: Under the Snow. Bazile Minogiizhigaabo Panek of Good Sky Guidance and member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, provided Snowschool Conference attendees with an overview of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, details about the Anaamaagon exhibit, and insights into the Ojibwe understandings of anaamaagon, the world under the snow. 

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)

“Traditional Ecological Knowledge is wisdom derived from Indigenous peoples’ direct and continued interaction with our environment”  Panek told the group, “It’s a knowledge system that has been around for a very long time and the knowledge continues to build.”

While Western Science tends to view the world through a microscope, Traditional Ecological Knowledge emphasizes a holistic view and respects interdependent relationships. Panek also explained how the Anaamaagon exhibit was developed using the Two Eyed Seeing Model, a way of integrating the strengths of Traditional Ecological Knowledge with the strengths of Western Science.  

Inside the Anaamaagon Exhibit

The Anaamaagon exhibit was designed to complement Cable Natural History Museum’s typical snow science explorations with an invitation to young learners to “shrink down” and explore the hidden realm under the snow for themselves.  After slipping down a slide into the exhibit or entering through the archway, visitors discovered artistic renditions of many of their favorite snow dwelling beings. This included grouse, marten, chipmunk, and many others. 

Ojibwe names of the flora and fauna who live anaamaagon are an essential part of the exhibit. Audio recordings from elders enrich the experience with oral teachings, such as:

  • The Ojibwe story of how chipmunks got their stripes, shared by Val Barber (Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa).
  • Stories describing the impact of climate change on snow cover.

You can read more about this, listen to recordings of the Ojibwe language and view the museum’s Anaamaagon exhibit guide here (Note: Teachers can order copies of the exhibit guide for their classrooms for the cost of shipping!). 

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Image courtesy of Cable Natural History Museum

Photo courtesy of Cable Natural History Museum