One Native American tribe is giving a modern spin to the traditional dreamcatcher, using razor-sharp wire to highlight the struggle and resilience of Indigenous communities fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The Pueblo Tribe, which set up camp at Standing Rock in August 2016, started making dreamcatchers with barbed wire that was previously used against water protectors. Now they're selling the jarring creations to help fund the camp's needs. Galvanized Steel Wire For Drying Basket
The tribe took this particular barbed wire off canoes taken from the Pueblo Camp by Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) security. The canoes, used by the Pueblo Camp for water rescues during clashes with DAPL workers, were reportedly stolen during the night by security and brought to their base across the river.
Brennon Nastacio, leader of the Pueblo Camp, tells Mashable that security personnel wrapped the boats in barbed wire. When he and other water protectors retrieved the canoes, they also dragged the barbed wire across the river to prevent anyone from getting hurt.
The camp, he explains, quickly thought up the idea of Dakota dreamcatchers as a way to repurpose the wire.
"We figured we would take something that was negative and meant to hurt us, and turn it into something positive," Nastacio says.
Activist Samantha Magdaleno, who is a board member at the nonprofit One Michigan for Immigrant Rights and the director of community organizing at the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, went to Standing Rock in solidarity with Indigenous communities. She connected with the Pueblo Camp early on, and helped them develop the dreamcatcher project.
"The barbed wire has been used all over Standing Rock to harm us," Magdaleno says. "[DAPL security has] it at the top of Turtle Island where 10 chiefs are buried. They put the barbed wire up there so people can't go up there and pray."
While the dreamcatchers include other components, like turkey feathers and deer hide left over from hunting to feed people at the camp, the barbed wire is the main feature -- a tangible reminder of what water protectors face.
"This is what they are using on us," Magdaleno says. "When you get this dreamcatcher in the mail and you touch it, it's sharp. It can hurt you."
The dreamcatchers cost $30-$60, depending on the size, and proceeds directly fund the needs of the 10 Pueblo Tribe members staying at Standing Rock. Nastacio says they'll use the money to buy necessities for the camp, such as winter clothing, toiletries, minutes for phones and portable chargers.
The dreamcatchers also allow water protectors to practice self-care throughout the intense resistance at Standing Rock.
"A lot of us were really stressed out from being on the frontlines -- just the emotional toll," Magdaleno says. "This art was just something to relieve ourselves."
The camp plans to keep making the dreamcatchers until they run out of wire. Then, they plan to brainstorm more projects to keep raising money for their camp, while also helping to facilitate healing and community.
"We are quickly running out of wire -- but I'm not about to send someone up the hill to grab more," Nastacio says.
There isn't a dedicated website set up to sell the dreamcatchers, but those interested in purchasing them can contact Magdaleno at [email protected] or [email protected].
Nastacio says the camp is in the process of setting up social media accounts so people can keep up with their efforts and future creative projects.
Reflective Plate Steel Wire Katie Dupere was a Social Good reporter at Mashable from May 2015 to July 2017, covering activism, identities and social impact. Prior to her work with Mashable, Katie penned pieces about queerness, body positivity, sex and relationships for Gurl. She also previously contributed LGBTQ news coverage to PinkNews.