A massive new dream catcher — believed to be the largest in the world — is now protecting the John Snake Memorial Multipurpose Grounds at Rama First Nation.
Bob Williams, 60, has been making dream catchers since the '90s. When he heard the Guinness World Record for the largest dream catcher belonged to Lithuania, he was inspired to bring the record to his homeland.
"When I saw a picture of the one in Europe, I said 'That's not right,'" he explained. "It's not a dream catcher because a traditional dream catcher has feathers and that one doesn't."
In May 2023, while working with a Sixties Scoop survivors crafting group, Williams was encouraged to act on his dream of setting a new world record.
He started harvesting wood and several community members helped him form the structure. He said local businesses, the community church, and the Chippewas of Rama First Nation jumped on board to help him accumulate the supplies needed.
Originally, Williams hoped to hang the dream catcher in a tree but was then approached by Chief Ted Williams and the Chippewas of Rama First Nation council who offered to install a metal stand at the powwow grounds.
Supporting community member Kathy Manners is helping finalizing Williams's Guinness World Record submission this week.
The size of the current Lithuanian record-setting dream catcher is 10.1 metres wide. Williams's dream catcher is over 30 metres wide and more than 18 metres (60 feet) tall. It's estimated that it weighs 2,000 pounds. It is made from sinew, willow, ash, and rope.
"There's 3,000 to 5,000 feet of sinew holding it all together," Williams said. "There's also probably 7,000 feet of rope."
In 12 weeks, the Guinness World Records will officially recognize Williams's submission if it's deemed successful.
Williams notes his dream catcher is not yet complete; he is working on making it perfectly round and it should be fully finished within two weeks.
He says he could have never made it without the help of his sister and the community.
"It takes about 30 people just to move that circle around," he said. "It takes a lot of people to move 2,000 pounds. That's a lot of weight."
Williams hopes the dream catcher will remain at the powwow grounds for as long as it can be maintained.
"We had a smudge ceremony for it," he explained. "There's an eagle feather up top and the feathers on the bottom are 15 feet long."
Williams says the dream catcher is for people of all cultures, religions, and ethnicities to enjoy.
"Dream catchers are very spiritual for certain cultures," he said. "There are different cultures that see dream catchers differently than us, so this is going to be very powerful for a lot of people."
Williams says dream catchers eliminate bad spirits and nightmares.
"They provide a powerful energy," he said. "I've seen it work."
Williams believes his record-setting dream catcher will help to keep the Rama First Nation community safe.
