This adoption was made possible through the process of either intermarriage, trade or both.
The Ojibwe people started the trend and over time, dream catchers were adopted by other tribes, cultures and even nations. Related Article - How to Make a Dream Catcherĭream catchers can be traced back to the Ojibwes. In this post, we'll cover the history, meaning and symbolism of the dream catcher, the legend of the Spider Woman, plus the different types of hoop designs, beads, feathers, and tons more! However, some Native Americans believe dream catchers have been appropriated and offensively exploited by non-Native Americans. They're also generally looked at as an indication of Native American identity. They can include feathers and beads, and they're traditionally suspended on cradles as a form of armor and protection.ĭream catchers are widely viewed as a symbol of oneness among numerous indigenous cultures and tribes. In many Native American tribes, a dream catcher is a handmade willow hoop woven to a web or literally, a net.