By Matthew Beil, Staff Writer.
When one thinks of a Dream Catcher, one brings up an image of a round object made of a fake wood-like material, with a sting in the middle woven in an intricate pattern on the inside of the circle. The outside of the ring is adorned with feathers that drape down. But what is its purpose? Where did it come from? There is more to it than people realize.
The origin of the dream Catcher is difficult to trace, as Native American tribes have lost much of their culture due to disease and persecution. The Dream Catcher we know today first gained popular notice in the Pan-Indian movement of the 1960s and 1970s. The idea behind the movement was no matter the tribe, Native Americans were united. The modern known style of Dream Catcher was first made by the Ojibwa (Chippewa) and is seen by some Natives as a symbol of unity. Another opinion, however, in the Native American community, is that Dream Catchers are being mistreated by those who are not of Native American descent. The original Dream Catcher’s were constructed Red willow wood and animal sinew; it was placed over the sleeping area where the suns first rays can hit it. The Dream Catcher will attract all dreams to the web. The bad dreams get caught in the webbing and are destroyed with the suns light. The good dreams would drip down the feathers to the sleeper below.
Page Ramesy-Hamacher who was in charge of putting together the event said that Dream Catchers are “A neat way to learn about Native American Culture and the students really enjoy it.” Indeed they did. Many were crowded around the table just inside the entrance to the dining hall making their very own Dream Catchers.
Yet how much do people really know about Native Americans? When asked if he felt that Native Americans were repressed, Cam Silver an international studies and history major stated “Yes from the start of the Mayflower.”
He also stated that he does have a dream catcher of his own.
The indigenous people of the Americans had established themselves here many centuries before the first European explores. This however meant that the Native population did not have any immunity to the disease brought over by the Europeans. Indeed many smaller tribes died out from a combination of disease and superior weapons. The larger tribes fought or moved away from the invaders which caused turmoil and conflict with other tribes further inland. Over time as America expanded more and more indigenous people were displaced. Eventually, most were forced onto reservations in Oklahoma or Arizona.
Today there are many tribes on the comeback; they are regaining their cultural identity. There are many different tribes out there; some are better known than others. Yet it would seem that the Native American has gone from savage to obstacle to drunk to casino runner in Americans mainstream idea. If one were to spend time on a reservation one might get a different picture. Some tribes have integrated well into American society and are very successful in business that they pass on to their tribal members. As is a common Native American custom to give back, for example, if one takes something from nature a Native American would leave tobacco to thank the plant for its use. If one is interested in Native American history art or culture there are many excellent books about many different tribes. The Native American dream Catcher has become a very popular symbol of Native Culture.
