Moon of the sore eyes

Ištáwicayazan Wi, Moon of the sore eyes is living up to its name. Bitter cold winds and snow whip across the plains at this time of year making it difficult to see. Like most of the country Pine Ridge is experiencing arctic temperatures testing the endurance of all.

Dream Catchers

While spending a long time outdoors in sub zero temperature could run the risk of frostbite, we ventured out to look for willow branches for our wo unbali –dream catchers. You can read more about the origin of dream catchers in our previous post Making Dream Catchers for the New Year. Dream catchers have been long associated with the pursuit of a life’s dream, purpose and ideals. Good dreams may be difficult to pursue. Nor may they turn out the way we first imagined them to be. But they’re what keep us focused and determined. Which is why we were determined to find and collect the willow branches we need to make our dream catchers despite cold wind. At least it wasn’t snowing!

Free Spirit Dream Catchers

We begin shaping the branches soon after we cut them while they’re soft and malleable Using three separate willow branches we form a sphere that is bound together with sinew strips. Each dream catcher is as unique as the branches from which they are made. Some we leave with their natural colors and others we paint using the sacred Lakota colors; red, yellow, white and black. The colors remind us of what we dream for. And as it is said in Lakota; “I to pe sni I habla po”don’t be afraid to dream!

• 

• 

• 

•