Dream Catchers

The dream catcher, originally known as asabikeshi, traces its roots to the Ojibwe people and was later shared with other Indigenous Nations through intermarriage and trade. According to the origin story, Asabikeshi, the Spider Woman, was a spiritual protector who cared for the children and people of the land. As the Ojibwe spread across North America, she could no longer reach all the children, so mothers and grandmothers began weaving spiderweb-like patterns using red willow hoops and plant cord—later, red-dyed yarn. The circular shape represents the journey of the sun, moon, and months across the sky. Dream catchers were believed to filter out bad dreams, letting only good thoughts through, with the morning sun dissolving any negativity caught in the web. When hung on a cradle board, the dream catcher served as both spiritual protection and a sacred connection for babies to their heritage.