Overview

In Ojibwe (or Chippewa in the United States) culture a dream catcher is a hand-crafted willow hoop with woven netting that is decorated with sacred and personal items such as feathers and beads. The Native American tradition of making dream catchers--hoops hung by the Ojibwe on their children's cradleboards to ""catch"" bad dreams--is rich in history and tradition. Although the exact genesis of this intriguing artefact is unknown, legend has it that a medicine woman forms a circle from a willow branch and, with sinew, borrows the pattern from a spider, weaves a web, and hangs it over the bed of a sick child who recovers by morning. In some versions dream catchers catch good dreams and let bad ones through, while others catch bad dreams and let good dreams through. This legend accompanies dream catchers offered for sale across North America and beyond. These themes, among others, are carried throughout this book which explores the appropriation of dream catchers by Native Americans of different nations, as well as the New Age movement. DREAM CATCHERS also discusses the blending of two religious philosophies whereby Native and Christian icons are mixed. More than 40 colour photographs feature contemporary dream catchers and artefacts with informative captions that identify and comment on the different patterns, their significance and history. DREAM CATCHERS features the work of Native artist Nick Huard who creates dream catchers in his studio in Kahnawake outside of Montreal. AUTHOR: Cath Oberholtzer is an anthropologist who taught at Trent University and has published many academic articles about dream catchers, their origin and meaning. ILLUSTRATIONS: 40 colour images

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9781770850569

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[Review of hardcover edition: ] Dream catchers, the ubiquitous circular, webbed objects found in airport gift shops, truck stops, and New Age stores, hold real significance for the many Native American tribes that created them, writes Canadian anthropologist Oberholtzer in this history of the dream catcher. Dreaming is a central theme of many Native American beliefs, though they can't all agree on what the dreamcatchers are designed to trap... Students of Native American crafts will find the book a useful study; Oberholtzer details in depth the various components and materials used, as well as the item's adoption by various tribes, and the images that dominate the text are welcome, inspiring, and informative.-- (11/05/2012) Crafted traditionally of a bone-and-feather-festooned wood circle that's netted with marrow, the more elaborate specimens are full-fledged works of art.--Globe and Mail, Christmas 2012 Gift Book List (12/08/2012) This book...explores the appropriation of dream catchers by Native Americans of different nations, as well as the New Age movement.-- (09/01/2012) A stunning presentation.--Ron Kirbyson Winnipeg Free Press (12/01/2012)

A stunning presentation.--Ron Kirbyson Winnipeg Free Press (12/01/2012) This book...explores the appropriation of dream catchers by Native Americans of different nations, as well as the New Age movement.-- (09/01/2012) Crafted traditionally of a bone-and-feather-festooned wood circle that's netted with marrow, the more elaborate specimens are full-fledged works of art.--Globe and Mail, Christmas 2012 Gift Book List (12/08/2012) [Review of hardcover edition: ] Dream catchers, the ubiquitous circular, webbed objects found in airport gift shops, truck stops, and New Age stores, hold real significance for the many Native American tribes that created them, writes Canadian anthropologist Oberholtzer in this history of the dream catcher. Dreaming is a central theme of many Native American beliefs, though they can't all agree on what the dreamcatchers are designed to trap... Students of Native American crafts will find the book a useful study; Oberholtzer details in depth the various components and materials used, as well as the item's adoption by various tribes, and the images that dominate the text are welcome, inspiring, and informative.-- (11/05/2012)

A stunning presentation.--Ron Kirbyson Winnipeg Free Press (12/01/2012)

Author Information

Cath Oberholtzer is an anthropologist who taught at Trent University and has published many academic articles about dream catchers, their origin and meaning. She lives in Cobourg, Ontario. Nick Huard resides in Kahnawake outside of Montreal. He spent his childhood on the Mi'gmaq reservation in Gaspesie, Quebec and has been making dream catchers since 1990.

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