Native American

As a group we decided to research on different cultures from around the world. The first one i researched was Native Americans. I found that there are literally hundreds if not more of Native American Tribes. So i based my research on some of the more well known tribes and the fact that they all have a very similar culture to start with. They were and still are to this day dedicated to Mother Nature in all ways possible. They are very spiritual people and have the utmost Respect for the planet, each other and animals.

Telling Stories, Legends and Folklore  to the Young was a way of passing on their culture and way of life . They would be handed down from generation to generation and was a way of teaching people about how to handle different situations that may arise in their own lives. 

Navajo Chiefs Blanket. These were worn by Navajo and other tribes. They wrapped them around their bodies and so when worn would form a diamond shape on the persons back. Although this is called a chiefs blanket, the Navajos did not have chiefs in their tribe. When Europeans encountered  plains Indians they were most probably wearing these blankets which they acquired through trade. So the name Chiefs blankets remained.

Some tribes did weave different coloured and designed blankets. These would have been made on  vertical loom and weaved by hand a tradition which still exists today. Nowadays these rugs are very sought after.  

This is a decorated drum skin called "My Grandmothers Song". The drums  are central to the way of life of Native Americans in the past and also even today. The way they are constructed represents how in tune they were and still are with nature. Circular represent earth and life. The animal hide which is stretched over the drum has spiritual characteristics of that animal. They believe the beating of the drum represents the beating of the human heart. The decoration of the drum is important as they are used in music, art and dance. It becomes a very personal job for the owner. They are usually decorated using natural colours taken from nature. For example flowers, roots, berries, seeds bark and even iron oxide. This is a naturally occurring red rock which can easily be crushed and mixed with water to create a dye.

Dream Catchers are a well known Native American  Tradition. They originate from the  Ojibwa y (Chippewa tribe). They originated many many generations ago. The dream catcher would be hung above someone who was sleeping to guard against bad dreams. It allowed the good dreams to pass through and slide down the feathers onto the sleeper below. But the bad dreams would become entangled in the spider web type structure and in the morning the sun would melt them away.

Tradition Dress of some Native American Tribes. Most tribes had different  distinctive styles of dress. They would be able to distinguish between the different tribes through clothes, headdress and ornamentation. Some traditional aspects of their dress are still worn today in formal gatherings. Buckskins, beaded moccasins and ribbon dresses in particular. Other items such as breech cloth, leggings, head dress and dance shawls are only usually worn at powwows and religious cerimonies

Totem Poles are another tradition.They can be a sign of  tribe, clan, family or individual.The reason for different animals on top of the totem poles is due to their tradition. They believe that every person has nine different animals accompanying them throughout different stages of their lives.But that a totem animal is the one which remains with a person throughout their lives guiding them and acts as their main guardian spirit.

Vicky :)

Dream catchers are one of the products which we have decided we would like to sell. There are many kinds of dream catchers but they are all produced in a similar way which is very easy to learn. There could be a possibility of promoting workshops in our pop up shop to teach people skills to make different creative items. Dream catchers could be a fun and exciting way of learning new skills.

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.

This is a dream catcher I made in the last year of my college course. I produced it by weaving different colours of wool, but keeping to earthy tones. I then stitched it together and also used feathers as a finishing touch.It was pretty time consuming but enjoyable at the same time. I was really pleased with the end result

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.