History - Native Americans

In January we learned a great deal about the Native Americans.
We made our own totem poles using drawings of different animals that represent different characteristics. We also made dreamcatchers by weaving wool and decorating with feathers and beads.

The Ojibwe people have an ancient legend about the origin of the dreamcatcher. Storytellers speak of the Spider Woman, known as Asibikaashi; she took care of the children and the people on the land. Eventually, the Ojibwe Nation spread to the corners of North America and it became difficult for Asibikaashi to reach all the children. So the mothers and grandmothers would weave magical webs for the children, using willow hoops and sinew, or cordage made from plants. The dreamcatchers would filter out all bad dreams and only allow good thoughts to enter our mind. Once the sun rises, all bad dreams just disappear.
 American ethnographer Frances Densmore writes in her book Chippewa Customs (1929, republished 1979, pg. 113)