Thanks again Roger, I have been thinking I need to get something on this site and you got the ball rolling. So nice to see so many coming by to the Native Americans site

Hi Myrna,

Yep - it's me! Seems I have a lot of catching up to do. I love what I have seen so far and particularly related to Kathleens recent post. I have always been intrigued by the intracacy and beauty of the American Indians headresses and the beading - they are a true art. When I think of patience, creativity, commitment and dedication that goes into making each one, the beautiful colors and the threads that with the guidance of someone's hand bind each feather, bead and piece of leather together, I get a bit dizzy.

I certainly wouldn't have the patience or the commitment and creativiy.

Thanks for this beautiful compilation of a part of our American history that is quickly fading into the background!

Hugs and blessings,

Judy

Quote:

My Friend..........!

You are doing an excellent job.

I feel proud of you.

Always........Your Friend,

Gani.

Hi Gani,

I am honored to have you visit, please come back again.

A totem can be the symbol of a tribe, clan, family or individual. Native American tradition provides that each individual is connected with nine different animals that will accompany each person through life, acting as guides. Different animal guides come in and out of our lives depending on the direction that we are headed and the tasks that need to be completed along our journey. Native beliefs further explain that a totem animal is one that is with you for life, both in the physical and spiritual world. Though people may identify with different animal guides throughout their lifetimes, it is this one totem animal that acts as the main guardian spirit. With this one animal a connection is shared, either through interest in the animal, characteristics, dreams, or other interaction. This Animal Guide offers power and wisdom to the individual when they "communicate” with it, conveying their respect and trust. This does not necessarily mean that you actually pet or spend time with this animal, more that you are open to learning its lessons.

Totem Pole at Pioneer Square in Seattle, Washington , vintage postcard.

For some, knowing what is their totem animal is almost an innate process. It’s as if they’ve always known, inexplicably drawn to the animal or having a special feeling for the animal’s energy. For others, they wonder how to tell what their animal totem is. Here are some questions to ask yourself if you’re wondering what your animal totem is: Have you ever felt drawn to one animal or another without being able to explain why? This could be animal, including birds and insects. Does a certain kind of animal consistently appear in your life? This doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical appearance, it could be represented in other ways such as receiving card and letters with the same animal pictured over and over, unexplainable dreams of a particular animal, watching television and seeing the same animal featured time and time again, or, actually having the animal show up. When you go to the zoo, a park, wildlife area, or forest, what are you most interested in seeing? Are there any animals that you find to be extremely frightening or intriguing? Is there a particular animal that you see frequently when you’re out in nature? Have you ever been bitten or attacked by an animal? Have you ever had a recurring dream about a certain animal, or a dream from childhood that you have never been able to forget? Are you drawn to figurines or paintings of a specific animal? The totem itself is a symbol that represents this animal. This could be any number of items - a crest, a totem pole, an emblem, a small figurine or anything else that depicts your animal guide.

Hi Judy,

I think I am going to faint, it is sooooooo good to see you. Please don't stay away so long. Miss you

Here is the story of the Dream Catchers

Dream Catchers

Dream catchers are one of the most fascinating traditions of Native Americans. The traditional dream catcher was intended to protect the sleeping individual from negative dreams, while letting positive dreams through. The positive dreams would slip through the hole in the center of the dream catcher, and glide down the feathers to the sleeping person below. The negative dreams would get caught up in the web, and expire when the first rays of the sun struck them.

The dream catcher has been a part of Native American culture for generations. One element of Native American dream catcher relates to the tradition of the hoop. Some Native Americans of North America held the hoop in the highest esteem, because it symbolized strength and unity. Many symbols started around the hoop, and one of these symbols is the dream catcher.

Dream Catcher Lore: Native Americans believe that the night air is filled with dreams both good and bad. The dream catcher when hung over or near your bed swinging freely in the air, catches the dreams as they flow by. The good dreams know how to pass through the dream catcher, slipping through the outer holes and slide down the soft feathers so gently that many times the sleeper does not know that he/she is dreaming. The bad dreams not knowing the way get tangled in the dream catcher and perish with the first light of the new day.

How the Dream Catcher is made: Using a hoop of willow, and decorating it with findings, bits and pieces of everyday life, (feathers, arrow heads, beads, etc) the dream catcher is believed to have the power to catch all of a person's dreams, trapping the bad ones, and letting only the good dreams pass through the dream catcher.

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Thanks again Roger, I have been thinking I need to get something on this site and you got the ball rolling. So nice to see so many coming by to the Native Americans site

Hi Myrna and Roger. Thank you! This is beautiful. Such beautiful people the Native Americans.

Love and big hugs.

Barb :)