Canadian astronaut takes Indigenous Knowledge to new heights.

The stars lined up when Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen met David “Sabe” Courchene from Turtle Lodge. 

As a result, Canada’s first astronaut to travel around the moon as part of the Artemis II Mission will do so while carrying the Seven Grandfather Teachings close to his heart.  

It is to be the first crewed mission on NASA’s path towards establishing a long-term presence in space specifically for science and exploration. 

Hansen will be carrying the Seven Grandfather teachings on a badge created especially for him by Courchene’s brother-in-law Henry Guimond. 

Their worlds collided last fall during a chance meeting at a ghost ceremony on the east coast.  

While preparing for the Artemis II Mission one of Hansen’s Earthly goals was to connect with Canadians from all walks of life. He felt this would not only help him to expand his horizons, but also help him focus on the gravity of the mission.  

At the time, neither Hansen nor Courchene knew how profoundly their lives would be impacted by each other.  

It all started when Hansen expressed an interest in learning more about Indigenous people. He was told to make contact with Turtle Lodge the international centre for Indigenous education and wellness located on the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba.  

“I didn’t get a direct connection right away,” said Hansen.  

Having previously participated in pipe and sweat-lodge ceremonies, the astronaut was invited to the east coast for a Ghost Ceremony.  

Coincidentally, it was being reintroduced to the area by Courchene and other members of Turtle Lodge.  

“It was one of those serendipitous things where someone suggested it and I ended up in a place and they were there,” said Hansen.

While at the ceremony, Courchene heard an astronaut wanted to meet him and was immediately curious.   

From the very beginning, the two men formed a bond of mutual respect.   

“When you meet someone like Jeremy with that stature…it’s special,” said Courchene. 

He said it’s been a humbling experience being involved in this leg of Hansen’s journey. 

“Our people have so much to offer,” said Courchene. “The knowledge that our people carry it’s an ancient knowledge and we can help.” 

He believes Hansen can bring more awareness about the importance of Indigenous Knowledge, which is needed especially now considering the current climate crisis facing humanity. 

Hansen said making the connection with Indigenous Knowledge has strengthened his core belief system and has also introduced some new ideas.  

“Indigenous knowledge has cemented things I have learned from my parents,” he said.  

Hansen was raised on a farm and always felt a deep connection with nature.  

Although he didn’t grow up around Indigenous people, over the years he’s had many opportunities to sit with Elders and learn from them.  

Hansen said there is “great truth” in what he hears from Indigenous Knowledge Keepers. 

“I love what Sabe from the Turtle Lodge has taught me many times, and it seems very true to me, that is Indigenous people haven’t been treated with equal value,” he said. “They have long held that if they are patient then eventually their gifts would be needed and respected. That time really seems like now. We need to reverse what we are doing to Mother Earth and learn how to tread more lightly on this planet.” 

Hansen says space data has been collected for decades and impacts of climate change can be tracked.  

He believes space exploration is not so much about looking beyond Earth, rather it’s about being able to look back on the planet to better understand it.  

“The best way to take the heartbeat of Mother Earth is from space,” he said. 

Hansen says it’s hard to ignore hard evidence when it comes to climate change.  

“There is just endless amounts of things you can take from these datasets that we’re capturing from the RADARSAT (satellite system) at the Canadian Space Agency,” he said.

Hansen does see the connection and value of Indigenous Knowledge in his line of work, which is why he chose to honour it while on his space mission.  

Courchene, Hansen and Guimond unveiled the Seven Grandfather’s patch at the First Nations University of Canada in Regina.  

According to the CSA, when an astronaut belongs to a space agency other than NASA, that agency is allowed to create a personal patch for its crewmember. The patch often reflects the mission objectives and some personal preferences of the astronaut who wears it. 

Hanson’s patch depicts the Artemis II mission as it travels around Grandmother Moon. Also on the patch is the turtle to represent truth, the buffalo to represent respect, the eagle to represent love, the bear to represent courage or strength, the bigfoot to represent honesty, the beaver to represent wisdom and the wolf to represent humility.  

Courchene said it’s great to have the patch finally unveiled. 

“I had reporters in the past ask if Jeremy was taking something up with him that represented and symbolized Indigenous people and at that time, I couldn’t really say anything,” said

Courchene. “But now I can and it’s just so incredible to have that representation and that acknowledgement.”  

Both Hansen and Courchene believe Indigenous Knowledge holds the key to creating a better future on Earth for all people.