I agree that New Agers and hippies are guilty of misusing and capitalizing on symbols from other cultures, but I also believe that Native American peoples have the right to share aspects of their culture with others if they wish to do so. In the Southwest USA, some tribes take a lot of pride in maintaining traditional handiwork and sharing it with others.
A mounted and framed dreamcatcher is being used as a shared symbol of hope and healing by the Little Thunderbirds Drum and Dance Troupe from the
Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota. In recognition of the shared trauma and loss experienced, both at their school during the
Red Lake shootings, and by other students who have survived similar school shootings, they have traveled to other schools to meet with students, share songs and stories, and gift them with the dreamcatcher. The dreamcatcher has now been passed from
Red Lake to students at
Columbine CO, to
Sandy Hook CT, to Marysville WA, to Townville SC, to Parkland FL.