Dream Catcher Statue

I love dream catchers and I especially like them when they are used to immortalize some Seattle Indian activists.
The Dream Catcher statue, located at the intersection of 32^nd Avenue and East Yesler Way, near Leschi Elemetary School, is a tribute to Bernie Whitebear and Luana Reyes. Whitebear was the executive director of United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. Reyes was an advocate for Indian health and all who had limited access to such health care.
In 2002, the Leschi Community Council voted to support a proposal to build the Dream Catcher at Yesler and 32^nd Avenue to replace a deteriorating Native American representative of a Thunderbird, that existed previously on that site. On July 19, 2003, after successfully fundraising $ 40,000 to fund the project, a traditional Native American dedication ceremony took place and the Dream Catcher statue was unveiled.
The artist was the brother of Luana Reyes. His name was Lawney Reyes, who was a well known local writer and artist who wanted to honor the «spirit» of Whitebear and his sister. A story on
explained that a dream catcher «is a handmade object based on a willow hoop, on which is woven a loose net or web. The dream catcher is then decorated with personal and sacred items such as feathers and beads.»
The Ojibwa Indians believe that a «dream catcher changes a person’s dreams. According to Konrad J. Kaweczynski, «Only good dreams would be allowed to filter through… Bad dreams would stay in the net, disappearing with the light of day.»
I normally would not be driving around the Leschi neighborhood but went on a Seattle city tour that passed by this most beautiful statue. The tour guide then described to us what the statue was all about. Seattle is really big on public art. It’s as if the Emerald City is gilding their lily to have such gorgeous statuary in their midst. 5 Unilocal STARS for the Dream Catcher Statue.