Expanding Access to Indigenous Astronomy: Educator on the Go Launches at MIAC

For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have looked to the stars not just for navigation or planting cycles, but for meaning—understanding the universe as a deeply interconnected system of sky, earth and spirit.

Now, a new exhibition at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC) is bringing that knowledge to life—and taking it on the road.

Makowa: The Worlds Above Us, on view this summer at MIAC, explores the profound relationship between Indigenous communities and the cosmos. But its reach won’t end at the museum. Through a new initiative called Educator on the Go, the exhibition’s educational programming will travel to tribal and rural communities across New Mexico, expanding access to culturally grounded learning and engagement.

Makowa Means Sky—and a Broader Horizon for Access

The Tewa word Makowa means “sky,” and the exhibition invites visitors to see the universe through Native perspectives. Rare artifacts, interactive displays and multimedia storytelling highlight the astronomical knowledge of New Mexico’s Pueblo communities and other Southwestern tribes—knowledge that shaped agricultural cycles, spiritual practices and traditional lifeways.

But for Deputy Director Elisabeth Stone, who leads the Educator on the Go effort, the real impact comes in extending this content beyond museum walls.

“This initiative is about making sure all New Mexicans, especially Native youth, can see their stories reflected in education,” Stone says.

Through pop-up exhibitions, traveling educators, and creative community partnerships, the program aims to share Indigenous astronomy with a wider audience—especially communities that have historically lacked access to museum resources.

From the Museum to the Mountains: What the Program Includes

As a pilot, the initiative will partner with tribal libraries, schools, museums, community centers and planetariums across the state. Programming may include:

  • Week-long mini exhibitions hosted in rural or tribal venues

  • Star parties with telescope viewing, led by astronomy experts and Native storytellers

  • Interdisciplinary events featuring Indigenous poets, musicians and culture bearers

  • Educational toolkits for local teachers and community leaders

A key component will be the recruitment of traveling educators, including museum studies students from the University of New Mexico and the Institute of American Indian Arts, building capacity and long-term sustainability for outreach.

Supporting Cultural Continuity Through Philanthropy

MIAC seeks to raise $100,000 through the Museum of New Mexico Foundation to fund program development and hire a permanent Educator on the Go program coordinator. The coordinator will be tasked with statewide collaboration and curriculum design to ensure the program reaches learners of all ages—from preschoolers to elders.

“We’re connecting the skies above with the stories below,” says co-curator Marlon Magdalena (Jemez Pueblo), who is also an award-winning flute maker and instructional coordinator at Jemez Historic Site. “This project fosters cultural pride and deeper understanding.”

Philanthropy Makes This Possible

With donor support, the Educator on the Go initiative will deepen MIAC’s role as a bridge between communities, expanding access to Indigenous astronomy education and creating immersive cultural experiences that inspire.

“We’re not just sharing knowledge,” says Stone. “We’re building relationships that will carry this work forward long after the exhibition ends.”

Learn more here and support this compelling initiative.

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