A documentary released in March by PBS North and Hamline University highlights the cherished dark skies of Voyageurs National Park, Quetico Provincial Park, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The three large, protected public lands comprise the largest dark sky sanctuaries in the world.
“Northern Nights, Starry Skies” is available to watch online, and educational curriculum materials are available for teachers. The one-hour video features the photography of Travis Novitsky, a member of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
“That’s why I like the night sky so much,” Novitsky says. “It’s the easiest way I can quiet my mind and just be there in the present. When I’m gazing up at the sky, especially on such a quiet night, I feel utterly and completely relaxed and refreshed.”
In addition to providing stunning videos and photos, Novitsky also provides a narrative connection throughout the production. The film is now available to watch on YouTube and other sites.
“Ojibwe artist and scholar Carl Gawboy shares Indigenous star knowledge complemented by Indigenous and cultural astronomers Jim Rock and Jessica Heim and astronomer Bob King. Learn how artificial light is impacting our world from author Paul Bogard and about the movement to reduce the harmful human health and environmental effects of light pollution from Starry Skies North founders Cynthia Lapp and Randy Larson and bird expert Laura Erickson.
Voyageurs, Quetico, and the Boundary Waters all received official designation by the International Dark Sky Association in recent years. With 98 percent of humans living in areas affected by light pollution, which obscures the stars and other celestial sights, the importance of preserving dark night skies in the Quetico-Superior has increased in urgency.
Curriculum materials include short clips from the full film, discussion questions, teaching tips, interactive activities for students, and vocabulary words. The materials were developed to meet state and national education standards in a variety of subjects.
The one-hour film was produced by Hamline’s Center for Global Environmental Education and funded by a grant from the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment.
More information:
- Northern Nights, Starry Skies – Full Documentary – YouTube
- Northern Nights, Starry Skies – Education Materials – PBS Learning
- Hamline-Produced Documentary Takes a Closer Look at Minnesota’s Treasured Skies – Hamline University
- The People Behind Northern Nights, Starry Skies – Grand Portage National Monument