Final answer:
The North Star, or Polaris, is a crucial celestial body used for navigation because of its fixed position close to the north celestial pole. It helps in locating the north direction and thereby determining east, west, and south, and has been recognized for its importance in various cultures, including Native American tribes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of the North Star, also known as Polaris, is to serve as a fixed point in the northern sky to help in navigation and orientation. Polaris is unique because it is located very close to the north celestial pole, which means it remains almost stationary in the sky while the other stars rotate around it. This makes it an excellent navigational star to locate in the north direction.
By finding Polaris, one can easily determine the other cardinal directions: east, west, and south. Native American tribes even recognized the importance of Polaris, as some referred to it as the "fastener of the sky" due to its relatively stationary position in the night sky. In a practical sense, if you're lost at night either in the wilderness or at sea, locating the Pole Star can be crucial for finding your way.