NATIVE AMERICAN DREAM CATCHERS

Sioux Indian legend says that a dream catcher hung over a bed or cradle would catch the bad dreams and let good dreams pass through, bringing peaceful sleep to those resting below it. Chippewa tribes of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada, are also credited for developing this wonderous tool.

Ancient stories continue through the Chippewa on how Asibikaashi (Spider Woman) helped the sun come back to the people. To this day, Asibikaashi builds her special lodge before dawn. She captures the sunrise as the light sparkles on the dew that gathers on her lodge or web. Asibikaashi took care of the people of the land. Legend says that when the Chippewa Nation dispersed throughout North America, Asibikaashi had a hard time keeping the people of the land safe because of the distance between all of them, so the women of the tribes took up the practice of weaving the magical webs for the new babies using willow hoops and sinew or cord made from plants to assist their sister Asibikaashi.

It is said that the dream catcher will filter out all the bad dreams and allow just the good thoughts to enter into our minds. The small hole in the center of each dream catcher is left so the good thoughts can pass through. Asibikaashi makes sure that with the morning sunlight, the bad dreams that had been caught in the web would perish.

Dream catchers come in all shapes and sizes. Join me in gathering materials, and creating one of history's most beautiful and legendary crafts.