I am non-indigenous. I have had my dreamcatcher for a few years. My daughter made it for me because I don't sleep well. It hangs over my bed. I really appreciate these videos and am trying to always learn and be respectful.
I'm drinking sure my dreams from bad dreams bad dreams I love him questions I want right there by my wall but my dad it's okay to put Indian part Cherokee
Hi Mallory, I'm non-idigenous and own a dream catcher. It was made by an indigenous artist. She explained each and helped me chose my colours in the net, bead, and feathers. It hangs on my bed's head board railing. My web is green, my bead is yellow, and my feathers are brown :)
I made my dreamcatcher. All items were prayed over and smudged before assembling the dreamcatcher and smudged after assembly. It hangs over my bed and really helps me to have restful sleeps. I have also made dreamcatchers for my children and close friends using the same method. I am non-indigenous so I appreciated this information in the video. I believe that I have respected the teachings and cultural in my creations.
Faye, thank you so much for honoring the culture by smudging all of the dream catcher items! I really appreciate your kind words and commitment to respecting Indigenous cultural teachings, and keeping them alive through your creativity as well 🥰😁
When I was little I had a friend and his mother was native (unfortunately I don’t remember her tribe) and when I told her I was having nightmares because of the situation I was going through back then she actually gave me one and she took her time to explain to me different things about them and how be respectful towards it and I still have it in my room above my bed. I haven’t heard from my friend for years but I really hope he and his family are ok :]
That's such a beautiful and touching story, Talia! It's wonderful to hear how your friend's mother offered you a dreamcatcher and shared her wisdom to help you with your nightmares. Thank you for sharing your experience! 🙏🏽🧡
Thank you. I am not indigenous. I was taught about smudging and such back in the 90's. I had stopped these practices because I was told it is appropriation. I even discarded a dream catcher that I hung in my bedroom to help with bad dreams. I appreciate you. I may begin using these traditions again after seeing your videos.
Thank you! My little boy has had some bad dreams and I suggested a dream catcher. I wanted to be sure I was doing everything respectfully, and now I know how to do that! I will work with him to help him build his own dreamcatcher while talking to him about the meaning, the history, and the culture. I hope this can be a beautiful learning experience for both him and myself!
Thank you! I am an art teacher and want to teach about dream catchers and the Indigenous groups that make them, but have avoided doing so because I didn't want to wade into cultural appropriation territory. Thank you for helping me learn how to do this the right way. I'm also subscribing to your videos because these are super helpful! Thanks again!
I’m white. My mother gave me a dream catcher to help me with my nightmares when I was a child. I still have it today and use it, value it and honor it. It has travelled with me coast to coast. My mother passed 10 years ago. She was an honorary cow girl in Sante Fe. She got my dream catcher from an indigenous friend and artist. I just moved to a new apartment and found your video trying to learn how to hang it properly. The internet wasn’t around when I was first gifted my dream catcher. Thank you for sharing your knowledge
I believe (as you said) that as long as you are respectful it should be OK to pick up some culture from other people. Most people who dress like cowboys aren’t cowboys. Likewise I picked up some Japanese culture from Karate. Although it is easy to offend a Japanese Master, they understand that you aren’t Japanese and they are lenient with Americans. The things that I learn and borrow from the indigenous tribes (or any people) will undoubtedly be mixed with my own beliefs; but I don’t see it as a bad thing. Thanks for your teachings! I make small dream catchers and necklaces (sometimes with ghost beads and plastic turquoise)and give them away; but I never sell them.
Thank you so much for this video! I am non-indigenous and have always loved learning of native american practices and beliefs. I am a nature lover and believe we are all connected. Dream catchers are a beautiful work of art and i find them very comforting. I ordered mine from a indigenous artist and wanted to make sure i am using it respectfully. I appreciate you sharing and educating us on your culture!
My mother has given me dream catchers since I was a little girl. I’ve always loved them. Now that I have PTSD, which causes terrible nightmares, I bought a gorgeous dream catcher that hangs next to my bed. It brings me a lot of comfort. I am non-indigenous, I am European, but dream catchers have brought me comfort since childhood and even more so in adulthood.
Another big one I always tell people is where did you get your dream catcher from? Did you make it yourself? Did you buy it from a company? Did you buy it from an indigenous artist? Was it gifted to you from an indigenous person? The latter two are always the best options in getting them
I have a large handmade dream catcher that was a special order for me. I have it hanging in my small apartment over the leather couch in the living room. I feel it protects myself and my son from any negativity that should enter the apartment.
As a non-indigenous woman, I often try to avoid using anything that isn't a part of my culture until I've at least learnt more about them (to prevent appropriating), I'm not sure whether I'll get a dream catcher one day or not, but I'm glad I'm at least learning from your videos.
I just made my own for my bedroom.. macreme tree of life and a mini dream catcher in it. I have been learning about my watered down ancestry Haudenosaunee and already have a few items some bought at pow wows and others I've made. And learning some Ojibwa. I cave split feeling for a dream catcher as I grew up Christian...I enjoyed making mine I agree with your word 100 percent
I am non-indigenous, and I make dream catchers for close family members as a way to protect their dreams and space. I believe intent is very important and each one, a handful, was made with love and care. I have also studied and listened to the stories and legends behind the dream catchers, to better understand the true purpose and meaning in these beautiful creations.
I was told I had at least half indian. (Indigenous) I make a ton of dream catchers. I created a poem for my daughter when she was younger due to night terrors or "ucky"dreams. We would do 2 stories, 2 songs and 2 prayers ( 1 to the lord and the 1 I created for her). Dream catcher, dream catcher hear our prayers. Bring us sweet dream and no nightmares.We would say this twice every night. I do mis those days
That's so sweet! Your bedtime ritual with your daughter sounds absolutely lovely. The way you incorporated the dream catcher and your own special poem is such a heartfelt gesture. Those moments of connection and protection are truly priceless. Thank you so much for sharing! 🧡🙏🏽
I have had issues with dream catchers. for some reason when I decided to put up a dream catcher and many of nights after I would have horrible dreams and suffer from sleep paralysis. got rid of the dreamcatcher and it all went back to normal. minimal bad dreams and zo boo hag either. I even tried it with my daughter and she had the same issues with nightmares. took the dream catcher down and far less nightmares. oh and I'm Comanche and Apache. so not exactly a colonizer.
I personally like the way dream catchers make me feel at peace, when I have them around me. I like to look at them. Their beauty and geometric pattern causes me to drift into daydreaming, or simply clearing my mind. They put me at ease. They make ME FEEL loved and protected. I also enjoy the geometric pattern, and the natural elements. Some patterns feel more energized with goodness. Other patterns strike me as simply nice artwork that isn't following the authentic pattern or construction. I am not indigenous AFAIK. But have always been strongly draw to asthetics of the cultue. I certainly would not want to desecrate a sacred, cultural item. Some dreamcatchers seem more authentic and spiritual. Others seem more like leaps of creative expression -- show pieces, and not really dream catchers at all. Such as the ones that have doillies incorporated into the pattern. These are simply beautiful art for decoration , in my opinion. Now.... If someone were to take a true dream catcher, and userp it's significance, Such as using it in a religious or spiritual way that it was not created for, or suddenly useing as a emblem for some club, cult, or religion,.... I would consider that to be disrespectful appropriation. Same if someone chose to destroy a true dream catcher because they had been taught that it is an evil practice or "witchcraft." ( sillyness) But... If someone is simply constructing a pretty piece of art , that resembles a dreamcatcher, and they dont associate anything spititual to their artwork. I'm OK with that. Because, after all... Geometry is all around us in nature. No One can own it.
Eu uso Filtro dos Sonhos feito por artistas que não são indígenas, porque eu não refletia sobre apropriação cultural antes e não tinha informações sobre o objetivo dele, mas minha alma sabia do valor do uso dele e eu comecei a estudar o significado e as histórias que baseiam a construção de um filtro dos sonhos, daí eu já fiz oficina de construção de filtro dos sonhos explicando a história e honrando a sabedoria nativa, como Arteterapeuta que sou. A cada dia mais grata pelas informações que me auxiliam a honrar a Sabedoria dos Povos Nativos Norte-americanos e a aprofundar no aprendizado da Linguagem do Amor que minha alma tem com a cultura nativa. A'ho!!!
Hello from Belgium. I have half mexican blood, Aztec descent. I wish to make my own dream catcher, in respect to your/our traditions. Thank you for all the inof. Be blessed. Love.
I'm a shamanic Teacher and healer with ancestors in the Brazilian Amazonians Guarani Tribes. I make them for my friends and family and gift them to help protect there children or themselves when they are having nightmares and spirit issues in the home. A long with a traditional Guarani blessing. I DO NOT SELL them. I don't even charge my clients for home cleanings or blessings. Some with spiritual detachment.❤
Very informative, thank you. When I realized that my dream catchers were not authentic, I got rid of them. I wanted one to help my cat with her nightmares (she tends to growl or cry in her sleep). I don’t even know if getting a dream catcher for a pet is appropriate. I plan on going to an Indigenous-owned store to ask for advice. There are unfortunately many wellness stores in my current area that sell imitation First Nation items.
Loved this, I am finding out that I have indigenous roots and am learning all things about the culture. And your videos have been very helpful in how to respect the culture as well. I’m trying to find out my tribal history. I am in the beginning stages. And I e wanted to have these in my home and so thank you for this information
Thank you for sharing your beautiful culture. Thank you especially for teaching us the most appropriate ways we can enjoy, honor and respect your culture, and how to recognize and avoid appropriation. It is unfortunate to read critical / misguided comments following this important learning opportunity.
An incredible video thank you. I am part south american indigenous and part European, and my whole life I have had dreamcatchers gifted to me made by indigenous people but decided to get rid of them all once I learned I could be appropriating the culture. And now I feel a really strong and deep calling to connect with my indigenous heritage, more than any other time in my life. I have been wanting to make a dreamcatcher to hang above my bed as I suffer from awful nightmares every night due to PTSD but worry I'm not the right person to make it because i am part european. It's so hard to connect with my indigenous heritage when I was mostly raised as a white kid in a white society and I am often fearful of even voicing that I am indigenous.
I'm non indigenous but always had dream catchers since little. But the one I have I am not sure where it was made by but used it for 3 years. I have dreams with many significant meanings. I am learning more spiritually and thought making dream catchers respecting it would be ok. Now I worry about doing it. I was always drawn to them for some reason. Thank you for letting us know.
The Dreamcatcher is a Faith object as well. Otherwise without the faith and belief, it is a supersticion. Like the Rosary some people use...its not the Rosary itself that gives prayers or receives answers...it is a counting object and used to focus for meditation...but not a neans in itself . Miigwetch!
I'm doing what I can to honor the native American background that I never really got to grow up in. I found out along the way how lack of information can cause us to remain in a denial about oneself as well as it can cause us to recognize where we have judgement towards ourselves or others. I was actually conditioned at a very young age to believe that it was my fault that my mother died. Even though I was just a baby and born into this world. In addition I was conditioned to believe that it was also my fault that My adoptive dad died. At least that's what I was conditioned to believe by my second step mom. As much as I would normally like to think that it was my fault. I also do what I can to acknowledge it in the other direction. Acknowledging that I feel like; that it's, also not the case. That sometimes life goes in a different direction and it doesn't go the way we really wanted things to go. As far as ultimately in the long run. I know that I was looking for a better outcome than what I was getting. But I didn't know how to look at life in a different aspect I suppose. When it came to helping myself and others to understand. Sometimes it's just the universe showing up as a way to mirror what it is that we truly believe that we've been staying in denial about. While it takes time to allow yourself to also to open up and trust that it's okay to allow ourselves to be more understanding of how to dream a better dream. How it starts with acknowledging when we are in denial somewhere in our lives. I recognized the need to have moments where it is true sometimes where it is not the case. I do feel like this conversation can technically go deeper and that there are definitely more answers to this category. But I also feel like that after watching your video. That I felt like that you were missed judging people. Simply just because they intuitively may know that they need to do something with a dreamcatcher. In order to learn and grow from their experiences. Instead of just following someone else's word for it all. Which is a big part of learning how to be independent in one's own life as well. Which helps me to learn and grow and understand in addition. How to live peacefully in harmonious ways Of I lie with one another mo o
I have bought a 4 circle dreamcatcher from tribal trade a few months ago.I have it hanging above my night stand and my bed is nexted to the night stand.Is this a good place to hang it.And is it the right dreamcatcher to have? Thank you Deborah
Thanks for your question, Deborah. Yes that's a good place to hang it. If you want to know more places to hang your dreamcatcher, you can also check out this video - ruclips.net/video/8Q3_rxdGGmE/видео.html and this video for dreamcatcher designs - ruclips.net/video/9sgAIfVmSBo/видео.html Hope this helps! ☺️
I made my own dream catcher when I was a little kid and I’m not indigenous. I hang it up on my window near my bed, I don’t sell any either. Is that okay? because you said that only indigenous people can make them and I just wanted to make sure 😅 I only just found out about this and I will now always honour indigenous people and where it originated :) Thank you for the video!
Hi, I’m eastern Cherokee. I was not taught my culture or how to respect it. But I watch videos to learn, talk to my elders if I can find them, and i currently looking for a teacher to learn my language, but that’s not the main topic of my comment. I was wondering is it respectful to hang my cream catcher on my bag with the intention to keep myself safe from bad energy and spirits while wondering town? Answers from anyone would be grateful! :3
Hey! So I’ve been really wanting to use the dream catcher weaving technique to make a kind of net that wraps around my bed, allowing none of my pillows or blankets or fall off as I sleep… Would this be cultural appropriation? While it wouldn’t technically be a dream catcher.. I would still be using the weaving technique used for them.
My personal dream catcher hangs over my bed, it was hand made for me by my previous girlfriend, she is Navajo. I have a second dream catcher that hangs high on the wall inside my bedroom next to the doorway. It's on the larger side and has pointy arrows on it, it's the safest place for it.
I bought two tiny dreamcatcher keychains when I was a child in my elementary school’s “Santa Shop” and I thought they were odd because they were new to me, then mysterious because it’s different from the culture I was raised in, but I also grew to think of them as very cool due to what they were made to do. I hazily remember buying from a dark skinned or tan skinned guy but I don’t know if it was an indigenous person or a black person who was selling it. I did feel like I was the only one who paid attention to the dreamcatcher thing back then. I hung it over my bed for protection and to sleep better. To hear people saying that non-indigenous people “can’t” use them because of appropriation hurt me because I believed I was hurting no one by using the dreamcatcher as I believed it did, protection. I felt ashamed of owning them, but I’ve grown too attached to them to throw them away. They were pieces of my childhood I actually had fondness for. It was part of why I was interested in indigenous lore as a kid. How different is it for an indigenous person to use a dreamcatcher the same way a Black/Asian biracial person does it? This video is very reassuring that owning my dreamcatchers isn’t so bad at all. I do need to smoke cleanse them more though.
Thanks for the video! My son(5) and I will endeavor to create one of these for his mom. We will do so with honor and respect and I will use the opportunity to communicate to him a bit about the local people(Anishinaabe Algonquin). Our local public schools give daily recognitions to the indigenous people which I think is cool. I wonder where to buy or source crafting materials...hmm.
I understand this fully. As a Christian/ally I see the cross being misappropriated all the time. It really wounds my soul. Is nothing sacred these days. Earrings, necklaces and many other uses. My Jesus went to the cross for everyone.
I'm really sorry, but I was wondering if you would feel comfortable with answering whether my actions would be appropriation? If its too much I understand, because you're already providing an amazing resource and like yeah Anyways I'm from Australia, and when I was little my mother bought me a dream catcher and I really loved it because it made me feel safe and like all my bad dreams would be trapped in it rather than stay with me. My mother removed it when I was older because she thought I didn't need it anymore, and now its gone. Recently I've been having nightmares that just emotionally stayed with me, and I thought of the dream catcher and how much strength it gave me when I was little so I wanted to get another one but realised that I couldn't buy one unless the dream catcher was from someone that was an indigenous peoples. I don't really know why but my brain settled on the idea of making my own dream catcher, it felt right because then I was putting my own energies and connection to it. The dream catcher's purpose would be providing protection from bad energy and keep good energy, but I'm worried that would be not respecting indigenous peoples ancestors considering that I myself am not one and my research would mostly be internet research you know? I inherited my family's "superstitious" spirituality (for the lack of a better word, its hard to explain but theres this connection to fate that we focus on alot) which is why I'm so worried, because its for my practice in my own spirituality rather than purely practicing and respecting indigenous peoples practice, I'm just really worried that this counts as appropriation because I would never want to disrespect other peoples' ancestors or their culture. I'm really sorry that this is such a big paragraph, I just stumbled across your video and it explained things so well that I just really wanted to ask someone that was knowledgable about this. Also I'm really sorry if how I've phrased things comes across not right vibes , I'm really bad at tone and that kind of stuff, Thankyou so much for the time and effort you put into making all the videos you do!
A friend of mine, who lives in England, is not indigenous and wants to produce and sell dream catchers to the psychedelic hippie rave community. I tried to approach the subject of cultural appropriation, but they shut it down saying they ‘don’t do politics’.
yaa your friend, is appropriating & his/her answer is direspectful, so you can tell they don't really respect the culture, because all they see is profit, they even have no respect for their possible costumers since they described them as psychedelic hippies or some kind of oddballs.
what is your opinion on the kpop group named dreamcatcher? im a fan of them but i feel like what theyre doing is cultural appropriation. they use the name for their group as a concept because their sound is intense and rock based. their first concept was also very horror themed, hence why they picked the name dreamcatcher, they want their songs to be like a dreamcatcher, catching our bad dreams. yet they sell dreamcatchers through their album packages and to my knowledge, they have not done anything to give back to the native americans to honour them. fans want them to change their name because of this, or at least acknowledge and address the fact that theyre selling dreamcatchers.
They’re from korea-they don’t give two pennies about your "cultural appropriation". Seriously, you americans are out of your mind. By the way, the lighting bulb originated in germany. If you’re using one you’re appropriating my culture and I advise you to stop
I am non-indigenous and I have a dream catcher hanging above my desk that was made and gifted to me years ago by a close friend who is also non-indigenous, is this cultural appropriation? Or is there anything I can do so that me owning it is more respectful?
I own a dream catcher which I bought from an original indigenous curio shop some year's ago. It has been in my living room all this time in front of a large window. Unfortunately it is now very weathered and unraveling. Would it be disrespectful to put or add a newer dream catcher to replace the original one? Very concerned about my dream catcher. Respectfully 🕊️🙏
Hi Ferro, we believe that you are more than welcome to hang up a new Dreamcatcher whenever you would like to. We suggest keeping your older one, and maybe finding a new spot for it. Or gifting it to a friend who doesn't have one. Thank you for watching our video! :)
Every single culture has appropriated something from somewhere else at some point. Nothing is ours. Materialistic reductionism is a poor mindset to have.
I always found it weird for people to be hanging one up in a car but anyways there is nothing wrong with it. It has been integrated into american culture for many years & everyone should already know what it means. I dont think I have ever come across someone who didn't know what it was all about.
I've bought most of them from flea markets and I live in Finland so they're defenitely not made by indigenous people. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to keep them on my wall or put them away. I have like 8
I have a pair of dream catcher earrings made and gifted to me by an indigenous person. I have had them for over thirty years, and wear them only when I feel I should. Is this disrespectful in any way?
We don't think it is. It doesn’t matter whether you are Indigenous or not as long as you are respecting Indigenous culture and the sacred purpose of the dreamcatcher. 🧡
I’m indigenous learning ojibwe alone in my community. All the older people already know it, people my age don’t even bother with any of it. Especially when they don’t know how to speak it. They think they should just let the language go
Im non-indigenous however have thought abt getting a dreamcatcher often. Yes they are pretty but because Im thoughtful abt good and bad spirits etc I would be drawn to a dreamcatcher. I find it odd that anyone would use a dreamcatcher as a trend or trinket but it can happen. The other point is that if one is ysing a dreamcatcher properly and respectfully, then I would expect they are doing more than the dreamcatcher alone because its the while picture of the culture not just one tiny aspect. Ex: if one is using a dreamcatcher believing in it, are they using smudging/sage? See what I mean? It all starts fitting together...can't be pieces of this and that. Miigwetch!
I’d say if you get one please use it in your bedroom and not in the car, tattoos, etc as they are what they are called. Dream catchers. You don’t dream on skin or in a car unless you’re homeless or traveling really. Besides that, as long as you’re aware of the meaning and have healthy respect for the culture I’d say you’d be okay!
I can't imagine having a dream catcher in your car, unless you plan on sleeping while driving. Despite the fact that our family has Akwesasne Mohawk heritage, my mother would not allow a dream catcher in the house, because she was Christian and viewed them the same as a Ouija board. I've made some things, and I always try to look up what is respectful and what is not. For instance, I don't believe in having a mask of the Mohawk false face society, because I am not a member of the society, and if it's something reserved for a ceremony or something I am not a member or a right to by what the tribe believes, than I don't own it.
There are some people who say that the kpop band dreamcatcher is doing cultural appropriation and there are some who say that they actually bring appreciation to the culture, what do you think? (Please check thoroughly before giving an answer)
@@MalloryRoseCo I think to paten something, you have to go to a government office in downtown Toronto for example. I don't know the current cost of doing so but remember when I was in a discussion about years ago, it was not expensive. I think these items need a paten or registered logo - something to put a stop to others infringing on the production and sales. Just a thought.....
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If everything must remain within its own culture life would be really boring. Every year people , at Hogmanay, over the world sing a Scottish song (usually incorrectly, thus disrespectfully). Are these people "honouring" Burns and Scotland - no - they are usually off their face with alcohol. But Scots don't appear to be allowed to be offended.
I have a question. If someone puts a dreamcatcher on a poster to advertise for a show, is that cultural appropriation? There is one cast member has an indigenous grandmother but otherwise there's no other indigenous culture in the show. Is this inappropriate? We love the symbolism of the dreamcatcher, but we aren't selling them.
Hello there! Aniin we te! In my opinion I think it’s up to the people, elders or leaders if it’s cultural appropriation. Do u know what my user name means in ojibwe? 😉
The 4th point. I recently told someone I want to get dream catchers ethically sourced and they laughed. I told them "laugh all you like, I will only buy dreamcatchers made by indigenous persons. end of discussion."
I am non-indigenous. I have had my dreamcatcher for a few years. My daughter made it for me because I don't sleep well. It hangs over my bed. I really appreciate these videos and am trying to always learn and be respectful.
Thank you for your kind words Marissa! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video, we appreciate you watching :)
I'm drinking sure my dreams from bad dreams bad dreams I love him questions I want right there by my wall but my dad it's okay to put Indian part Cherokee
Hi Mallory, I'm non-idigenous and own a dream catcher. It was made by an indigenous artist. She explained each and helped me chose my colours in the net, bead, and feathers. It hangs on my bed's head board railing. My web is green, my bead is yellow, and my feathers are brown :)
That's awesome Tracey! Thank you so much for sharing with us :)
I made my dreamcatcher. All items were prayed over and smudged before assembling the dreamcatcher and smudged after assembly. It hangs over my bed and really helps me to have restful sleeps. I have also made dreamcatchers for my children and close friends using the same method. I am non-indigenous so I appreciated this information in the video. I believe that I have respected the teachings and cultural in my creations.
Faye, thank you so much for honoring the culture by smudging all of the dream catcher items! I really appreciate your kind words and commitment to respecting Indigenous cultural teachings, and keeping them alive through your creativity as well 🥰😁
When I was little I had a friend and his mother was native (unfortunately I don’t remember her tribe) and when I told her I was having nightmares because of the situation I was going through back then she actually gave me one and she took her time to explain to me different things about them and how be respectful towards it and I still have it in my room above my bed.
I haven’t heard from my friend for years but I really hope he and his family are ok :]
That's such a beautiful and touching story, Talia! It's wonderful to hear how your friend's mother offered you a dreamcatcher and shared her wisdom to help you with your nightmares. Thank you for sharing your experience! 🙏🏽🧡
Thank you. I am not indigenous. I was taught about smudging and such back in the 90's. I had stopped these practices because I was told it is appropriation. I even discarded a dream catcher that I hung in my bedroom to help with bad dreams. I appreciate you. I may begin using these traditions again after seeing your videos.
I'm so glad you are enjoying our videos Christopher! Thank you for your kind words and thanks for watching :)
Thank you! My little boy has had some bad dreams and I suggested a dream catcher. I wanted to be sure I was doing everything respectfully, and now I know how to do that! I will work with him to help him build his own dreamcatcher while talking to him about the meaning, the history, and the culture. I hope this can be a beautiful learning experience for both him and myself!
Thank you! I am an art teacher and want to teach about dream catchers and the Indigenous groups that make them, but have avoided doing so because I didn't want to wade into cultural appropriation territory. Thank you for helping me learn how to do this the right way. I'm also subscribing to your videos because these are super helpful! Thanks again!
I’m white. My mother gave me a dream catcher to help me with my nightmares when I was a child. I still have it today and use it, value it and honor it. It has travelled with me coast to coast. My mother passed 10 years ago. She was an honorary cow girl in Sante Fe. She got my dream catcher from an indigenous friend and artist. I just moved to a new apartment and found your video trying to learn how to hang it properly. The internet wasn’t around when I was first gifted my dream catcher. Thank you for sharing your knowledge
You're very welcome! And thank you for sharing your story! I appreciate it. 🧡
I believe (as you said) that as long as you are respectful it should be OK to pick up some culture from other people. Most people who dress like cowboys aren’t cowboys. Likewise I picked up some Japanese culture from Karate. Although it is easy to offend a Japanese Master, they understand that you aren’t Japanese and they are lenient with Americans. The things that I learn and borrow from the indigenous tribes (or any people) will undoubtedly be mixed with my own beliefs; but I don’t see it as a bad thing. Thanks for your teachings! I make small dream catchers and necklaces (sometimes with ghost beads and plastic turquoise)and give them away; but I never sell them.
Thank you so much for this video! I am non-indigenous and have always loved learning of native american practices and beliefs. I am a nature lover and believe we are all connected. Dream catchers are a beautiful work of art and i find them very comforting. I ordered mine from a indigenous artist and wanted to make sure i am using it respectfully. I appreciate you sharing and educating us on your culture!
My mother has given me dream catchers since I was a little girl. I’ve always loved them. Now that I have PTSD, which causes terrible nightmares, I bought a gorgeous dream catcher that hangs next to my bed. It brings me a lot of comfort. I am non-indigenous, I am European, but dream catchers have brought me comfort since childhood and even more so in adulthood.
Another big one I always tell people is where did you get your dream catcher from? Did you make it yourself? Did you buy it from a company? Did you buy it from an indigenous artist? Was it gifted to you from an indigenous person? The latter two are always the best options in getting them
Those are great questions to ask people! Thank you for sharing with us :)
What you doing for Native American Culture is unbelievably beautiful. Outstanding
I have a large handmade dream catcher that was a special order for me. I have it hanging in my small apartment over the leather couch in the living room. I feel it protects myself and my son from any negativity that should enter the apartment.
That sounds so beautiful Lorraine! Thank you so much for sharing ❤️❤️
As a non-indigenous woman, I often try to avoid using anything that isn't a part of my culture until I've at least learnt more about them (to prevent appropriating), I'm not sure whether I'll get a dream catcher one day or not, but I'm glad I'm at least learning from your videos.
I'm so glad to hear that! We really appreciate you taking your time to learn. 🧡
I'm watching this and your other videos before I make my own dreamcatcher! Thank you for sharing your culture x
I just like them ...
I just made my own for my bedroom.. macreme tree of life and a mini dream catcher in it. I have been learning about my watered down ancestry Haudenosaunee and already have a few items some bought at pow wows and others I've made. And learning some Ojibwa. I cave split feeling for a dream catcher as I grew up Christian...I enjoyed making mine
I agree with your word 100 percent
I am non-indigenous, and I make dream catchers for close family members as a way to protect their dreams and space. I believe intent is very important and each one, a handful, was made with love and care. I have also studied and listened to the stories and legends behind the dream catchers, to better understand the true purpose and meaning in these beautiful creations.
Imagine the world we would all live in if we didn’t share… 😊
I was told I had at least half indian. (Indigenous) I make a ton of dream catchers. I created a poem for my daughter when she was younger due to night terrors or "ucky"dreams. We would do 2 stories, 2 songs and 2 prayers ( 1 to the lord and the 1 I created for her). Dream catcher, dream catcher
hear our prayers. Bring us sweet dream and no nightmares.We would say this twice every night. I do mis those days
That's so sweet! Your bedtime ritual with your daughter sounds absolutely lovely. The way you incorporated the dream catcher and your own special poem is such a heartfelt gesture. Those moments of connection and protection are truly priceless. Thank you so much for sharing! 🧡🙏🏽
I have had issues with dream catchers. for some reason when I decided to put up a dream catcher and many of nights after I would have horrible dreams and suffer from sleep paralysis. got rid of the dreamcatcher and it all went back to normal. minimal bad dreams and zo boo hag either. I even tried it with my daughter and she had the same issues with nightmares. took the dream catcher down and far less nightmares. oh and I'm Comanche and Apache. so not exactly a colonizer.
Great explanation, thank you. ❤
I personally like the way dream catchers make me feel at peace, when I have them around me.
I like to look at them.
Their beauty and geometric pattern causes me to drift into daydreaming, or simply clearing my mind.
They put me at ease.
They make ME FEEL loved and protected.
I also enjoy the geometric pattern, and the natural elements.
Some patterns feel more energized with goodness.
Other patterns strike me as simply nice artwork that isn't following the authentic pattern or construction.
I am not indigenous AFAIK.
But have always been strongly draw to asthetics of the cultue.
I certainly would not want to desecrate a sacred, cultural item.
Some dreamcatchers seem more authentic and spiritual.
Others seem more like leaps of creative expression -- show pieces, and not really dream catchers at all.
Such as the ones that have doillies incorporated into the pattern.
These are simply beautiful art for decoration , in my opinion.
Now.... If someone were to take a true dream catcher, and userp it's significance,
Such as using it in a religious or spiritual way that it was not created for, or suddenly useing as a emblem for some club, cult, or religion,....
I would consider that to be disrespectful appropriation.
Same if someone chose to destroy a true dream catcher because they had been taught that it is an evil practice or "witchcraft." ( sillyness)
But... If someone is simply constructing a pretty piece of art , that resembles a dreamcatcher, and they dont associate anything spititual to their artwork.
I'm OK with that.
Because, after all...
Geometry is all around us in nature.
No One can own it.
Eu uso Filtro dos Sonhos feito por artistas que não são indígenas, porque eu não refletia sobre apropriação cultural antes e não tinha informações sobre o objetivo dele, mas minha alma sabia do valor do uso dele e eu comecei a estudar o significado e as histórias que baseiam a construção de um filtro dos sonhos, daí eu já fiz oficina de construção de filtro dos sonhos explicando a história e honrando a sabedoria nativa, como Arteterapeuta que sou. A cada dia mais grata pelas informações que me auxiliam a honrar a Sabedoria dos Povos Nativos Norte-americanos e a aprofundar no aprendizado da Linguagem do Amor que minha alma tem com a cultura nativa. A'ho!!!
Hello from Belgium. I have half mexican blood, Aztec descent. I wish to make my own dream catcher, in respect to your/our traditions. Thank you for all the inof. Be blessed. Love.
I'm a shamanic Teacher and healer with ancestors in the Brazilian Amazonians Guarani Tribes. I make them for my friends and family and gift them to help protect there children or themselves when they are having nightmares and spirit issues in the home. A long with a traditional Guarani blessing. I DO NOT SELL them. I don't even charge my clients for home cleanings or blessings. Some with spiritual detachment.❤
Very informative, thank you. When I realized that my dream catchers were not authentic, I got rid of them. I wanted one to help my cat with her nightmares (she tends to growl or cry in her sleep). I don’t even know if getting a dream catcher for a pet is appropriate. I plan on going to an Indigenous-owned store to ask for advice. There are unfortunately many wellness stores in my current area that sell imitation First Nation items.
Loved this, I am finding out that I have indigenous roots and am learning all things about the culture. And your videos have been very helpful in how to respect the culture as well. I’m trying to find out my tribal history. I am in the beginning stages. And I e wanted to have these in my home and so thank you for this information
You are so welcome! I'm so glad you love it! Good luck on your journey in learning more about our culture! 🧡
This is such a great video. Thank you so much. I think the selling point is such an important one.
Thank you for your kind words Laurel! I'm so glad you enjoyed our video :)
I received a dream catcher as a gift years ago, I didn't know what it was until I watched this video. Know, I need to look for it.
Dreamcatchers are awesome gifts! Hope you find it, Harvey!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful culture. Thank you especially for teaching us the most appropriate ways we can enjoy, honor and respect your culture, and how to recognize and avoid appropriation.
It is unfortunate to read critical / misguided comments following this important learning opportunity.
Thank you so much for your kind words Deborah, we appreciate it! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video :)
An incredible video thank you. I am part south american indigenous and part European, and my whole life I have had dreamcatchers gifted to me made by indigenous people but decided to get rid of them all once I learned I could be appropriating the culture. And now I feel a really strong and deep calling to connect with my indigenous heritage, more than any other time in my life. I have been wanting to make a dreamcatcher to hang above my bed as I suffer from awful nightmares every night due to PTSD but worry I'm not the right person to make it because i am part european. It's so hard to connect with my indigenous heritage when I was mostly raised as a white kid in a white society and I am often fearful of even voicing that I am indigenous.
You are not "indigenous". You are MESTIZO.
I'm non indigenous but always had dream catchers since little. But the one I have I am not sure where it was made by but used it for 3 years. I have dreams with many significant meanings. I am learning more spiritually and thought making dream catchers respecting it would be ok. Now I worry about doing it. I was always drawn to them for some reason. Thank you for letting us know.
The Dreamcatcher is a Faith object as well. Otherwise without the faith and belief, it is a supersticion. Like the Rosary some people use...its not the Rosary itself that gives prayers or receives answers...it is a counting object and used to focus for meditation...but not a neans in itself .
Miigwetch!
I love this, Miriam! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts 🥰 Chi-miigwetch !
Helpful thanks
Glad to hear it helped Walter! :)
I'm doing what I can to honor the native American background that I never really got to grow up in.
I found out along the way how lack of information can cause us to remain in a denial about oneself as well as it can cause us to recognize where we have judgement towards ourselves or others. I was actually conditioned at a very young age to believe that it was my fault that my mother died. Even though I was just a baby and born into this world.
In addition I was conditioned to believe that it was also my fault that My adoptive dad died. At least that's what I was conditioned to believe by my second step mom. As much as I would normally like to think that it was my fault. I also do what I can to acknowledge it in the other direction. Acknowledging that I feel like; that it's, also not the case.
That sometimes life goes in a different direction and it doesn't go the way we really wanted things to go. As far as ultimately in the long run. I know that I was looking for a better outcome than what I was getting. But I didn't know how to look at life in a different aspect I suppose. When it came to helping myself and others to understand. Sometimes it's just the universe showing up as a way to mirror what it is that we truly believe that we've been staying in denial about. While it takes time to allow yourself to also to open up and trust that it's okay to allow ourselves to be more understanding of how to dream a better dream.
How it starts with acknowledging when we are in denial somewhere in our lives.
I recognized the need to have moments where it is true sometimes where it is not the case.
I do feel like this conversation can technically go deeper and that there are definitely more answers to this category. But I also feel like that after watching your video. That I felt like that you were missed judging people. Simply just because they intuitively may know that they need to do something with a dreamcatcher. In order to learn and grow from their experiences. Instead of just following someone else's word for it all. Which is a big part of learning how to be independent in one's own life as well.
Which helps me to learn and grow and understand in addition. How to live peacefully in harmonious ways Of I lie with one another mo o
I have bought a 4 circle dreamcatcher from tribal trade a few months ago.I have it hanging above my night stand and my bed is nexted to the night stand.Is this a good place to hang it.And is it the right dreamcatcher to have? Thank you Deborah
Thanks for your question, Deborah. Yes that's a good place to hang it. If you want to know more places to hang your dreamcatcher, you can also check out this video - ruclips.net/video/8Q3_rxdGGmE/видео.html and this video for dreamcatcher designs - ruclips.net/video/9sgAIfVmSBo/видео.html
Hope this helps! ☺️
I like my Dreamcatcher & have added Quartz Crystals to it . I did not know that they are made from a hoop of Willow .
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for watching, Andy!
I made my own dream catcher when I was a little kid and I’m not indigenous. I hang it up on my window near my bed, I don’t sell any either. Is that okay? because you said that only indigenous people can make them and I just wanted to make sure 😅 I only just found out about this and I will now always honour indigenous people and where it originated :) Thank you for the video!
Hi, I’m eastern Cherokee. I was not taught my culture or how to respect it. But I watch videos to learn, talk to my elders if I can find them, and i currently looking for a teacher to learn my language, but that’s not the main topic of my comment. I was wondering is it respectful to hang my cream catcher on my bag with the intention to keep myself safe from bad energy and spirits while wondering town? Answers from anyone would be grateful! :3
Hey! So I’ve been really wanting to use the dream catcher weaving technique to make a kind of net that wraps around my bed, allowing none of my pillows or blankets or fall off as I sleep…
Would this be cultural appropriation? While it wouldn’t technically be a dream catcher.. I would still be using the weaving technique used for them.
My personal dream catcher hangs over my bed, it was hand made for me by my previous girlfriend, she is Navajo. I have a second dream catcher that hangs high on the wall inside my bedroom next to the doorway. It's on the larger side and has pointy arrows on it, it's the safest place for it.
Jose, that is so nice to hear! Sounds like you have two very special dreamcatchers which is amazing 😁 . Thank you for sharing 💕
I bought two tiny dreamcatcher keychains when I was a child in my elementary school’s “Santa Shop” and I thought they were odd because they were new to me, then mysterious because it’s different from the culture I was raised in, but I also grew to think of them as very cool due to what they were made to do. I hazily remember buying from a dark skinned or tan skinned guy but I don’t know if it was an indigenous person or a black person who was selling it. I did feel like I was the only one who paid attention to the dreamcatcher thing back then.
I hung it over my bed for protection and to sleep better. To hear people saying that non-indigenous people “can’t” use them because of appropriation hurt me because I believed I was hurting no one by using the dreamcatcher as I believed it did, protection. I felt ashamed of owning them, but I’ve grown too attached to them to throw them away. They were pieces of my childhood I actually had fondness for. It was part of why I was interested in indigenous lore as a kid. How different is it for an indigenous person to use a dreamcatcher the same way a Black/Asian biracial person does it?
This video is very reassuring that owning my dreamcatchers isn’t so bad at all. I do need to smoke cleanse them more though.
Thanks for the video! My son(5) and I will endeavor to create one of these for his mom. We will do so with honor and respect and I will use the opportunity to communicate to him a bit about the local people(Anishinaabe Algonquin). Our local public schools give daily recognitions to the indigenous people which I think is cool. I wonder where to buy or source crafting materials...hmm.
i want to use a dreamcatcher but i want to use it respectfully
I understand this fully. As a Christian/ally I see the cross being misappropriated all the time. It really wounds my soul. Is nothing sacred these days. Earrings, necklaces and many other uses. My Jesus went to the cross for everyone.
Thank you for sharing Carol :)
I'm really sorry, but I was wondering if you would feel comfortable with answering whether my actions would be appropriation? If its too much I understand, because you're already providing an amazing resource and like yeah
Anyways I'm from Australia, and when I was little my mother bought me a dream catcher and I really loved it because it made me feel safe and like all my bad dreams would be trapped in it rather than stay with me. My mother removed it when I was older because she thought I didn't need it anymore, and now its gone.
Recently I've been having nightmares that just emotionally stayed with me, and I thought of the dream catcher and how much strength it gave me when I was little so I wanted to get another one but realised that I couldn't buy one unless the dream catcher was from someone that was an indigenous peoples. I don't really know why but my brain settled on the idea of making my own dream catcher, it felt right because then I was putting my own energies and connection to it. The dream catcher's purpose would be providing protection from bad energy and keep good energy, but I'm worried that would be not respecting indigenous peoples ancestors considering that I myself am not one and my research would mostly be internet research you know?
I inherited my family's "superstitious" spirituality (for the lack of a better word, its hard to explain but theres this connection to fate that we focus on alot) which is why I'm so worried, because its for my practice in my own spirituality rather than purely practicing and respecting indigenous peoples practice, I'm just really worried that this counts as appropriation because I would never want to disrespect other peoples' ancestors or their culture.
I'm really sorry that this is such a big paragraph, I just stumbled across your video and it explained things so well that I just really wanted to ask someone that was knowledgable about this. Also I'm really sorry if how I've phrased things comes across not right vibes , I'm really bad at tone and that kind of stuff,
Thankyou so much for the time and effort you put into making all the videos you do!
A friend of mine, who lives in England, is not indigenous and wants to produce and sell dream catchers to the psychedelic hippie rave community. I tried to approach the subject of cultural appropriation, but they shut it down saying they ‘don’t do politics’.
yaa your friend, is appropriating & his/her answer is direspectful, so you can tell they don't really respect the culture, because all they see is profit, they even have no respect for their possible costumers since they described them as psychedelic hippies or some kind of oddballs.
what is your opinion on the kpop group named dreamcatcher? im a fan of them but i feel like what theyre doing is cultural appropriation. they use the name for their group as a concept because their sound is intense and rock based. their first concept was also very horror themed, hence why they picked the name dreamcatcher, they want their songs to be like a dreamcatcher, catching our bad dreams. yet they sell dreamcatchers through their album packages and to my knowledge, they have not done anything to give back to the native americans to honour them. fans want them to change their name because of this, or at least acknowledge and address the fact that theyre selling dreamcatchers.
They’re from korea-they don’t give two pennies about your "cultural appropriation". Seriously, you americans are out of your mind. By the way, the lighting bulb originated in germany. If you’re using one you’re appropriating my culture and I advise you to stop
I am non-indigenous and I have a dream catcher hanging above my desk that was made and gifted to me years ago by a close friend who is also non-indigenous, is this cultural appropriation? Or is there anything I can do so that me owning it is more respectful?
I own a dream catcher which I bought from an original indigenous curio shop some year's ago. It has been in my living room all this time in front of a large window. Unfortunately it is now very weathered and unraveling. Would it be disrespectful to put or add a newer dream catcher to replace the original one? Very concerned about my dream catcher. Respectfully 🕊️🙏
Hi Ferro, we believe that you are more than welcome to hang up a new Dreamcatcher whenever you would like to. We suggest keeping your older one, and maybe finding a new spot for it. Or gifting it to a friend who doesn't have one. Thank you for watching our video! :)
Hi, hope the dream catcher on my avatar is ok
my intention is give a protection when i comment,
i respect your culture, thank you :)
Thank you for sharing :)
Every single culture has appropriated something from somewhere else at some point. Nothing is ours. Materialistic reductionism is a poor mindset to have.
And that's how you missed the whole point of the video on what is appropriation and when something is shared.
I always found it weird for people to be hanging one up in a car but anyways there is nothing wrong with it. It has been integrated into american culture for many years & everyone should already know what it means. I dont think I have ever come across someone who didn't know what it was all about.
I've bought most of them from flea markets and I live in Finland so they're defenitely not made by indigenous people. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to keep them on my wall or put them away. I have like 8
I have a pair of dream catcher earrings made and gifted to me by an indigenous person. I have had them for over thirty years, and wear them only when I feel I should. Is this disrespectful in any way?
We don't think it is. It doesn’t matter whether you are Indigenous or not as long as you are respecting Indigenous culture and the sacred purpose of the dreamcatcher. 🧡
What do you do when your family believes dream catchers are evil?
I’m indigenous learning ojibwe alone in my community. All the older people already know it, people my age don’t even bother with any of it. Especially when they don’t know how to speak it. They think they should just let the language go
I'm glad to hear you are learning Ojibwe! Good for you! That's awesome to hear :)
Im non-indigenous however have thought abt getting a dreamcatcher often. Yes they are pretty but because Im thoughtful abt good and bad spirits etc I would be drawn to a dreamcatcher. I find it odd that anyone would use a dreamcatcher as a trend or trinket but it can happen. The other point is that if one is ysing a dreamcatcher properly and respectfully, then I would expect they are doing more than the dreamcatcher alone because its the while picture of the culture not just one tiny aspect. Ex: if one is using a dreamcatcher believing in it, are they using smudging/sage? See what I mean? It all starts fitting together...can't be pieces of this and that. Miigwetch!
Thank you for sharing with us Miriam! Miigwetch for watching our video :)
I’d say if you get one please use it in your bedroom and not in the car, tattoos, etc as they are what they are called. Dream catchers. You don’t dream on skin or in a car unless you’re homeless or traveling really. Besides that, as long as you’re aware of the meaning and have healthy respect for the culture I’d say you’d be okay!
I can't imagine having a dream catcher in your car, unless you plan on sleeping while driving. Despite the fact that our family has Akwesasne Mohawk heritage, my mother would not allow a dream catcher in the house, because she was Christian and viewed them the same as a Ouija board. I've made some things, and I always try to look up what is respectful and what is not. For instance, I don't believe in having a mask of the Mohawk false face society, because I am not a member of the society, and if it's something reserved for a ceremony or something I am not a member or a right to by what the tribe believes, than I don't own it.
There are some people who say that the kpop band dreamcatcher is doing cultural appropriation and there are some who say that they actually bring appreciation to the culture, what do you think? (Please check thoroughly before giving an answer)
Is it possible to paten/register these items?
Hi Miriam! Maybe in some areas that I'm unaware of, but I really don't think so! 😅
@@MalloryRoseCo I think to paten something, you have to go to a government office in downtown Toronto for example. I don't know the current cost of doing so but remember when I was in a discussion about years ago, it was not expensive. I think these items need a paten or registered logo - something to put a stop to others infringing on the production and sales. Just a thought.....
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If everything must remain within its own culture life would be really boring. Every year people , at Hogmanay, over the world sing a Scottish song (usually incorrectly, thus disrespectfully). Are these people "honouring" Burns and Scotland - no - they are usually off their face with alcohol. But Scots don't appear to be allowed to be offended.
Where can I buy good quality of Dream Catcher, I don't trust those list on Amazon.
Thanks for your question. You can check out our website at tribaltradeco.com or you can also try to find any Indigenous stores in your area. ☺️
I have a question. If someone puts a dreamcatcher on a poster to advertise for a show, is that cultural appropriation? There is one cast member has an indigenous grandmother but otherwise there's no other indigenous culture in the show. Is this inappropriate? We love the symbolism of the dreamcatcher, but we aren't selling them.
My previous comment shld say USING and WHOLE! Sorry...I find typing on the phone more difficult..Miigwetch!
can I make and gift or buy and gift (Im non indigenous)
Yes absolutely! 😊
Dream catcher hangs in my doorway
That's great Lisa! Thank you for sharing :)
My dream catcher is hanging next to my bed.
That's the perfect place to hang your dreamcatcher! Thanks for sharing. 😊
@@MalloryRoseCo Yeah, unfortunately I got it from a hippy shop back a few years ago.
Not doing either
Hello there! Aniin we te! In my opinion I think it’s up to the people, elders or leaders if it’s cultural appropriation. Do u know what my user name means in ojibwe? 😉
Aaniin, thank you for sharing! I hope you enjoyed the video :)
Window!
mine is being hung above my bed
The 4th point. I recently told someone I want to get dream catchers ethically sourced and they laughed. I told them "laugh all you like, I will only buy dreamcatchers made by indigenous persons. end of discussion."
Thank you for sharing with us :)
As you wear Western clothing, speaking English, using Western inventions to record this video.
I'm not indigenous. Cultural. My grand ma and grandpawas half native Indian. Lol.
Hi Jessica! That’s okay if you’re not cultural! I imagine you’re much more cultural than you think 🥰
Ima save you time. No.