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Catching Dreams At The Lost City Museum

	Alice Turquois demonstrates the fine art of weaving at a Lost City event held Saturday.	Catherine Ellerton Moapa Valley Progress On Saturday, February 23, at the Lost City Museum, Alice Turquois, Lula Mae and Tanya Whiterock, of the Navajo Nation, Red Hen Clan, came to share their expertise, skill and artistry in weaving and dream catcher creation. These ladies, and their entire family, travel throughout the Southwest sharing this Native American Art at demonstrations and Powwows. These artisans are involved with the craft from beginning to end. The initial material is gathered from sheep, deer and rabbits. The wool sheared from the sheep and spun to yarn is either maintained in the
	natural color of white or black or is dyed using natural dyes from berries and plants. Using a method that dates back to the Ancient ones, the weaving of the rug, or jacket or dress is begun. The weaving is done in “blocks” across the loom. The Dream catchers are made from the hide of deer, rabbit fur, stones and sinew. The hide is finished and dried thoroughly. To obtain the different colors and to soften the leather, bear brains are used. The leather is rubbed with the substance and then steamed by fire, giving it a variety of colors. The webbing is made from sinews. I had to ask. Which body organ do you find works best and that you prefer to use? Lula Mae replied that she preferred working with the stomach even though it smelled the worst. The stones are obtained around Whiterock’s home in the Marble Canyon, Arizona, area. She uses turquoise, gold, jasper, onyx, malachite and the blue lace agate. Once the materials are gathered, Lula Mae begins to create her Dream catchers. The hanging leather with stones or beads and feathers are decorative and do not hold any special meaning. The same goes for the placing of the stones in the webbing. It is artistic preference. Whiterock stated that it takes about three hours to make a medium sized Dream catcher. Alice Turquois, the Elder, was busy weaving a rug incorporating the Stone Pattern. From this initial pattern, the remaining design is the creation of the weaver from her soul. Grandmother Turquois usually works on several items at the same time. She works several hours a day at her craft. It takes approximately 2 months to complete a 4 foot long rug. Her signature at the end is a single white strand of yarn woven in as one long, continuous piece across the top of the finished article. Coming with Grandmother Turquois and mother Lula Mae, was daughter Tanya who was modeling one of the beautiful and artistically woven dresses. Tanya, as well as her three siblings, helps to make the Native American jewelry for which the family is known. This jewelry, which includes earrings and necklaces as well as the Dream catchers, is available at the Lost City Museum.