Dreamcatchers: Sacred Not Decorative

BY NICOLE LAU

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you are not Indigenous, you should NOT own, make, or sell dreamcatchers. Dreamcatchers are sacred objects from specific Indigenous nations, not cute decorations or trendy accessories. This article explains why dreamcatcher appropriation is harmful and what you should do instead.

The Problem: Dreamcatchers Everywhere

Dreamcatchers are everywhere: in stores, on keychains, as tattoos, in children's rooms, as car accessories, in fashion, as jewelry. They've been so thoroughly commodified and appropriated that many people don't even know they're Indigenous sacred objects.

If you have dreamcatchers and you're not Indigenous, you're participating in cultural appropriation. This article will explain why and what to do about it.

What Dreamcatchers Actually Are

Origins: Ojibwe Sacred Objects

Dreamcatchers (or dream catchers) originate from the Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) people, one of the largest Indigenous nations in North America. The Ojibwe word is asabikeshiinh, meaning "spider."

According to Ojibwe tradition, dreamcatchers were created based on the story of Asibikaashi (Spider Woman), a spiritual protector who took care of the people. As the Ojibwe nation spread across North America, it became difficult for Spider Woman to reach all the children, so mothers and grandmothers began weaving magical webs for them.

Traditional dreamcatchers were:

• Made by specific people within the community (often grandmothers)
• Created with specific materials (willow hoops, sinew, sacred items)
• Made with prayers and intentions
• Given to children for protection
• Small and meant to be temporary (willow would eventually dry and break)
• Part of a specific cultural and spiritual context

What They're NOT

Dreamcatchers are NOT:

• Generic "Native American" objects (they're specifically Ojibwe)
• Decorations or aesthetic items
• Fashion accessories
• Craft projects for non-Indigenous people
• Something you can make from a kit or tutorial
• Appropriate for non-Indigenous people to own, make, or sell

How Dreamcatchers Became Appropriated

The Pan-Indian Movement and Spread

In the 1960s-70s, during the Pan-Indian movement, dreamcatchers spread beyond the Ojibwe nation to other Indigenous peoples. This was Indigenous people sharing among themselves—not an invitation for non-Indigenous appropriation.

The 1970s-80s: Commodification Begins

Non-Indigenous people began mass-producing and selling dreamcatchers, stripping them of their cultural context and sacred meaning. They became:

• Tourist souvenirs
• New Age spiritual accessories
• Home decor items
• Children's toys

The 1990s-Present: Complete Appropriation

Dreamcatchers became so commodified that most people don't even know they're Indigenous. They appear:

• In mainstream stores (often made in China or other countries)
• As fashion items (clothing, jewelry, tattoos)
• In children's rooms as "cute" decorations
• As car accessories and keychains
• In craft tutorials and DIY projects
• As generic "bohemian" or "spiritual" aesthetic

Meanwhile, Indigenous people:

• Cannot compete economically with mass-produced versions
• Watch their sacred objects be trivialized and commodified
• See their culture reduced to aesthetic trends
• Continue to face discrimination and marginalization

Why Dreamcatcher Appropriation Is Harmful

Cultural Harm

• Strips sacred objects of their cultural and spiritual meaning
• Disrespects Ojibwe and other Indigenous peoples
• Treats Indigenous culture as a commodity to consume
• Perpetuates stereotypes and pan-Indigenous erasure
• Makes it harder for Indigenous people to maintain their own traditions
• Contributes to cultural genocide

Economic Harm

• Non-Indigenous businesses profit from stolen culture
• Indigenous artisans cannot compete with mass-produced versions
• Economic opportunities are taken from Indigenous communities
• Wealth is extracted without benefiting Indigenous peoples

Spiritual Harm

• Sacred objects are treated as decorations
• Spiritual significance is erased or distorted
• Non-Indigenous people claim spiritual connection without understanding
• Indigenous spiritual practices are trivialized

Perpetuating Colonization

Dreamcatcher appropriation is a continuation of colonization—taking what you want from Indigenous peoples while denying them sovereignty, rights, and respect.

Common Forms of Dreamcatcher Appropriation

Owning Mass-Produced Dreamcatchers

If you bought a dreamcatcher from:

• A mainstream store (Target, Urban Outfitters, Amazon, etc.)
• A non-Indigenous seller
• A tourist shop
• Online marketplaces (unless from verified Indigenous artisans)

You're participating in appropriation and should not have it.

Making Dreamcatchers

Non-Indigenous people making dreamcatchers—whether from kits, tutorials, or craft classes—is appropriation. This includes:

• DIY dreamcatcher projects
• Craft classes teaching dreamcatcher making
• School projects involving dreamcatchers
• "Dreamcatcher-inspired" crafts

Dreamcatcher Tattoos

Getting a dreamcatcher tattoo when you're not Indigenous is appropriation. Your body is not a place to display stolen culture.

Dreamcatcher Fashion and Accessories

Dreamcatcher imagery on:

• Clothing
• Jewelry
• Phone cases
• Home decor
• Car accessories

All of this is appropriation.

Selling Dreamcatchers

Non-Indigenous people selling dreamcatchers—whether handmade or mass-produced—is cultural theft and economic exploitation.

What You Should Do Instead

1. If You Currently Own Dreamcatchers

If you're not Indigenous and you own dreamcatchers:

• Remove them from display immediately
• Don't gift them to others (don't spread appropriation)
• Don't sell them (don't profit from appropriation)
• Dispose of them respectfully:
  • If they're natural materials, return them to the earth
  • If they're synthetic, dispose of properly
  • Don't burn them (that's not your tradition)
• Don't make a big deal about it (don't center your feelings)

2. If You're Considering Getting a Dreamcatcher Tattoo

Don't. Choose a different design that's not from a culture you don't belong to.

3. If You Make or Sell Dreamcatchers

Stop immediately. You're committing cultural theft. Find other crafts or products that don't involve appropriation.

4. If You're a Teacher or Parent

Don't do dreamcatcher crafts with children. This teaches children that appropriation is acceptable. Instead:

• Teach about Indigenous peoples respectfully (with Indigenous-created resources)
• Explain why dreamcatchers are sacred and not for non-Indigenous people
• Do crafts from your own cultural traditions
• Invite Indigenous educators to share (if they're willing and compensated)

5. Educate Others

When you see dreamcatcher appropriation:

• Speak up and name it as appropriation
• Don't support businesses selling dreamcatchers
• Share information about why it's harmful
• Amplify Indigenous voices on this issue

But What About...? (Common Excuses)

"But I Bought It From a Native American"

Are you sure? Many sellers falsely claim Indigenous identity. Even if true, one Indigenous person selling to you doesn't make it appropriate for you to own.

"But It Was a Gift"

The giver was wrong to give it. Receiving stolen culture as a gift doesn't make it okay. Dispose of it respectfully.

"But I'm Honoring Native Culture"

No, you're not. Honor means respect. Respect means listening when Indigenous people say "this is not for you" and actually respecting that boundary.

"But I Didn't Know"

Now you know. Change your behavior. Ignorance is not an excuse to continue harmful practices once you've been educated.

"But It's Just Decoration"

That's the problem. You're treating sacred objects as decorations. That's disrespectful.

"But I Have Native Ancestry" (Without Proof)

Family stories are not proof. If you're not enrolled in a tribe or cannot document your ancestry, you're not Indigenous for the purposes of owning sacred objects.

"But Everyone Has Them"

Widespread appropriation is still appropriation. Just because something is normalized doesn't make it right.

"But They're Sold Everywhere"

That's evidence of how thoroughly Indigenous culture has been appropriated and commodified. It doesn't make it okay.

What If You're Indigenous?

If you are Indigenous (particularly Ojibwe/Anishinaabe):

• Dreamcatchers are part of your heritage
• You have the right to make, own, and use them according to your traditions
• Learn from elders in your community about proper protocols
• You don't need permission from non-Indigenous people
• Your cultural practices are valid and sacred

If you're from other Indigenous nations:

• Dreamcatchers may have been shared with your community through Pan-Indian movement
• Consult with elders about what's appropriate for your nation
• Respect that dreamcatchers originate from Ojibwe people

Supporting Indigenous Peoples Instead

Instead of appropriating dreamcatchers:

• Support Indigenous-led organizations and causes
• Buy from Indigenous artists (if they're selling to non-Indigenous people)
• Advocate for Indigenous rights and sovereignty
• Support the Land Back movement
• Learn about Indigenous issues from Indigenous sources
• Respect sacred objects and cultural boundaries
• Challenge appropriation when you see it
• Support Indigenous language and cultural revitalization
• Acknowledge that you're on stolen Indigenous land

The Bigger Picture: Pan-Indigenous Stereotypes

Dreamcatcher appropriation is part of a larger problem: treating all Indigenous peoples as one homogeneous group with a generic "Native American" culture.

Reality:

• There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. alone
• Each has distinct languages, cultures, and traditions
• Dreamcatchers are specifically Ojibwe, not pan-Indigenous
• Treating all Indigenous peoples as the same is erasure

Respect Indigenous diversity by:

• Learning about specific nations and their distinct cultures
• Not using generic "Native American" imagery or objects
• Recognizing that each nation has sovereignty and distinct identity
• Listening to Indigenous people from specific communities

Conclusion: Sacred Objects Are Not Decorations

Dreamcatchers are sacred objects from the Ojibwe people, not cute decorations for non-Indigenous people to own, make, or sell.

If you're not Indigenous:

• Don't own dreamcatchers
• Don't make dreamcatchers
• Don't sell dreamcatchers
• Don't get dreamcatcher tattoos
• Don't use dreamcatcher imagery
• Dispose of any you currently have
• Educate others about appropriation
• Support Indigenous peoples and their sovereignty

Respect is not about what you can take—it's about what you choose to honor by leaving alone.

This article is part of our Respectful Cultural Education series. Seventh article in the series.

As you weave these sacred understandings into your daily life, consider deepening your connection through the 40 Manifestation Rituals to anchor your intentions with clarity, or explore the 13 New Moon Rituals to align your practice with the moon’s gentle cycles of release and renewal. To further cleanse and protect your sacred space, the Sacred Space Cleanse ritual kit offers a beautiful way to honor the dreamcatcher’s purpose of filtering what no longer serves you.