Dream Catcher

The Dream Catcher has its origin with the Ojibwe tribe, although it has been adapted into other tribes.

There are a few different stories that I have heard over the years, but I wanted to share a particular story that was told to me.

Many moons ago (Indian humor), there was a boy that was weak and not well because he had not slept for many days. His father asked him why he could not sleep. The boy told him that when he sleeps, he has very bad dreams that scare him and he is scared to sleep.

The boy’s father told his son he would pray and talk to Creator, asking him to take away the bad dreams, giving him only good dreams.

The father fasted and prayed for four days and four nights. On the fourth night Creator spoke to the him. Creator told the father to go out to the meadow and visit Spider. Creator told him to share what is going on with his son and then to listen to what Spider tells him.

So, the father did as Creator told him, walked out to the meadow and found Spider sitting in a magnificent web. “Hello”, said Spider to the two legged. I already know why you have come to me. Do you see my web that I have spun to catch my food?” The father replied, “yes, yes I do, and it is so beautiful.” Spider said, “Go and pick some Red Willow and use them to create a circle. Then take sinew and fashion a web exactly like mine, leaving a small hole in the center, and attach feathers to each side and on the bottom. When it is time for your son to sleep, pray with him for a good rest and good dreams. When he rests, the web will catch all of the bad dreams that have been frightening your son. All of the good dreams will come through the hole in the center and go down the feathers and down to your son. When the sun rises, the light of the new day will destroy the bad dreams that have been caught in the web. He will awake rested and feel happy because of his good dreams. He will be anxious to sleep again to see what good dreams await him.” So, the father followed exactly as Spider told him.

That evening, the boy’s father hung the dream catcher above where the boy sleeps and shared with him that Creator told him to go see Spider, that Spider could help his son sleep at night, having only good dreams. The two prayed together and the boy fell fast asleep.

The next morning the boy awoke, well rested and happy. And just as Spider had said, the boy had only good dreams, was no longer afraid to sleep, and he was well again.

As is usual when making things, Native Americans will deliberately make a small mistake in their work. This is a sign of respect towards Creator, as he and he alone creates everything perfect. Many dream catchers made by bona fide Native Americans will have a small stone just outside of the hole in the middle. This stone represents Creator. They say, when you look at the web, you can see Spider in it.