DREAM CATCHERS

 

 

An artistic and spiritual experience

 

 

Created by Nick Huard

 

 

ABOUT DREAM CATCHERS…..

 

 

An Indian legend says that when a dream catcher is hung in a room, it catches the dreams as they float by.  The good dreams, knowing the way, slip through the center hole, drifting gently down to the sleeper below.  The bad dreams, not knowing the way, become entangled in the web, only to perish with the first light of day.

 

Dream catchers have been part of Native American peoples’ culture for many centuries.  Until now, there is very little visual or written information about dream catchers and only a few pieces have fond their way to museums.

However, dream catchers have been identified on murals dating back to prehistoric mesoamerican times.

 

In North America, dream catchers have been found within Ojibwa, Mi’gmaq, Naskapi and Cree tribes.

 

A study reveals that originally, the James Bay Cree used a « baby net » wich was a simple amulet formed from of a wooden hoop, about 10cm. In diameter, through which was woven a small net resembling a spider web.  This amulet was then hung over the infant’s cradle board or moss bag.  Its purpose was to protect the baby from illness and bad spirits, « …by catching everything evil as a spider’s web catches and holds everything that comes in contact with it. »

 

Over the years, other influences have contributed to a change in the religious customs and the way of life of Native people.  Little by little, the protective role of the amulet spread to the dream world.  This is not surprising if we keep in mind that dreams and their symbolism are accepted as part of the daily life of Native Americans.

 

 

 

THE ELEMENTS AND THEIR SYMBOLISM

 

 

THE CIRCLE

 

The circle begins as an extended point, it contributes to its pervection.  The point and the circle have common symbolic values :  perfection, homogeneity, indivisible total.  The circular movement is immutable, without beginning or end.  It also symbolise time….Several elements of the daily life of native Americans obey the element of the circle :  tepees, council meetings, dances, etc….

 

THE ROPE

 

The meanings of the knot are many and varied :  lines, ropes and strings;  all are made to catch, tangle, attach.  While at the same time and ultimately, they are used to attach, link, join, over several levels.  Through the rope, the knots are linked to the same principle.  They symbolise the power that ties and unties, they can also represent a cosmic link with primal life.

 

THE FEATHERS

 

Feathers play an important part in the ancestral rites of native Americans.  They are considered a gift from the bird still retain the power of the animal.

 

THE MATERIALS

 

Most of the materials used in the fabrication of dream catchers are recoverd from nature and recycled.  Many have been found during expeditions all over the continent, from the North West Territories to the beaches of Florida;  while others come from the Rocky Mountains or the woods around Montreal.

 

Please note :  No creature has been killed or mutilated in order to obtain elements used in the fabrication of dream catchers.

 

 

 

THE TALISMANS

 

 

The talismans used to ornate the dream catchers often represent the clan or the totem animal of the person.  Among them we find :

 

THE BEAR :  protective animal, father of man, strength, intelligence, courage, honesty, medecine provider;

 

THE WOLF :  devil’s advocate, brother of man, watchfulness, scout, guide;

 

THE DEER :  grace, resourcefulness, intuition, creativity and ability to explore it;

 

THE BUFFALO :  power, plentiness, freedom, contact with nature;

 

THE EAGLE :  strength, equilibrium, courage, « …with the tip of his wing he touches the house of the Creator;

 

THE HAWK :  vision, intuition, messenger;

 

THE OWL :  strength, wisdom, duality, messenger, carrier of dream, ally;

 

THE Canada GOOSE :  authority, respect of traditions;

 

THE CROW :  messenger trickster.

 

 

PROFILE

 

Nick Huard

 

 

Born in Restigouche, to the bear clan, Nick Huard spent his childhood on the Mi’gmaq reserve in Gaspésie.  Having completed his residential school years, he went on to College Bourget in Rigaud.  Then came several jobs, amongst them :  assistant fashion designer, photographer and train conductor.

 

In 1975, he enters the field of communications through television news and public affairs.  For the next ten years, as soundman, he covered many important events all over the world, for CBS, CBC/SRC, TSN and NBC.

 

Since 1998, he has worked mainly in documentary film production.  He prefers the documentary approach as this type of shooting permits longer stays on location and more significant contacts with the people and events involved.  He has participated to the production of such programs as PBS Travel (« The Last Train » - on the last transcontinental train in Canada), Man Alive (« Tapoori » - street children in Bombay), « Sentiers Chasse et Pêche » (15 programs) and « The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples » with the NFB – Studio 1 in Edmonton.

 

From his grandfather, a saddler-shoemaker, and his father, a master cabinetmaker, he has inherited a deep respect for his culture and the environnement.  He began making dream catchers eight yeard ago and has devoted himself to this art for the last four years.

 

He has a permanent exhibit at the Red Cedar Gallery in Montreal.  His dream catchers are also available at the McCord Museum Boutique in Montreal and at Galerie St-Merri in Paris.  He occasionally lectures in universities and schools to students and teachers interested in learning more about dream catchers.

 

Nick Huard is a member of the Council of Sculpture of Quebec – « Conseil de la Sculpture du Québec ».