The Dream Catcher

According to Native American, dreams that humans have while they sleep, are sent by sacred spirits as messages. According to their legends, in the center of the dream catcher there is a hole, good dreams are permitted to reach the sleeper through this hole in the web. As for bad dreams, the web traps them and they disappear at dawn with the first light.

The Medicine Wheel

The medicine wheel is an ancient religious symbol. The wheel is divided into four sections representing the four cardinal directions and all of creation that dwells in those regions. The west represents danger, the north life, the east knowledge, the south quiet. The hoop represents the never-ending circle of life.

The Shield

Native American shields were a very important article to the Native American man; not only because of the physical protection it afforded him, but also because of the spiritual protection it provided. Because of the spiritual significance especially, shields are a lasting symbol of the cultural identity of the Native American man.  Surprisingly, many of the Native American shields were not used for actual physical protection, but were carried with them attached in some way upon their animals or were put in a place of Honor, to the East of the warrior’s lodge to maintain its’ spiritual protection.

The Medicine Bag

A Medicine Bag is a traditional North American Indian container for various items of supernatural power. While anyone may have one, usually it would be the medicine man, or shaman, of a tribe who would carry one. As something that holds supernatural items, the medicine bag must also have some power of its own.

Medicine items attributed with various supernatural abilities for the bag would often be procured in a tribal custom known as a vision quest. This ceremony includes personal sacrifice: fasting and prayer over several days in a location isolated from the rest of the community.

Typical powers ascribed to medicine bags and their items include increasing hunting abilities, aiding fighting skills, healing allies, hindering enemies and altering the weather.

Cradle Board

A cradle board is a typical North American baby carrier used to keep babies secure and comfortable and at the same time allowing the mothers freedom to work and travel.

Bound and wrapped on a cradleboard, a baby can feel safe and secure. Soft materials such as lichens, moss and shredded bark were used for cushioning and diapers. Cradleboards were either cut from flat pieces of wood or woven from flexible twigs like willow and hazel, and cushioned with soft, absorbent materials.

The Tomahawk

Tomahawks were general purpose tools used by Native Americans and European Colonials alike, and often employed as a hand-to-hand or a thrown weapon.

It originally featured a stone head, but later iron or brass heads were used. The metal tomahawk heads were originally based on a Royal Navy boarding axe and used as a trade-item with Native Americans for food and other provisions.