However many Native Americans have began to see dream catchers as over commercialized, offensively misappropriated and misused by non-natives. They have become the symbol of unity among Indian nations and a symbol of identification with our first native American Nations cultures. After a pan- Indian movement they were adopted by Native Americans of many different nations. Origin Legends and Beliefsĭream catchers began with the tribe of Ojibwe people and were later incorporated by other neighboring nations through intermarriage or by trade. The dream catcher is almost always decorated with beautiful, sacred items of feathers and beads. It is a handmade object based on a willow hoop onto which is woven a loose net or web. In some Native American cultures a dream catcher means an inanimate form of the word “ spider”, or means “ dream snare”. Native American Heritage Month - Recommended Reading.
