Creator of world's largest dreamcatcher hopes it will keep his community safe

The world’s largest dreamcatcher has been given pride of place overlooking a community in Canada.

Created by Dale (Bobbie) Williams (Canada), it has a diameter of 12.93 m (42 ft 5 in) and is on display in John Snake Memorial Multipurpose Grounds in Rama First Nation, Ontario.

Bobbie has been making dreamcatchers – a tradition in North American Indigenous culture – since 1997 and was inspired to create the biggest one ever after seeing that the record had been broken in Europe.

He took up the hobby as he likes how it connects him to his culture.

The former construction worker, who is in his 60s, sells some of the dreamcatchers he makes, and also gives them as gifts to his loved ones.

He’s made hundreds of them, but this was his biggest challenge by far.

Determined to bring the record back to indigenous land, he drew a design and started the project with the support of his community.

It was made using up to 5,000 ft of sinew, willow, ash and 7,000 ft of rope. It weighs around 2,000 lbs (907 kg).

It’s adorned with feathers that dangle around 15 ft from the bottom.

“I was so happy to share this with my community,” he told us.

“My gratitude for all the sponsors and partners, community members who helped. A special thanks to my sister Bela who walked this journey with me.”

Bobbie had originally hoped to hang his dreamcatcher in a tree, but he was approached by Chief Ted Williams and the Chippewas of Rama First Nation council, who asked if they could install it at the powwow grounds instead.

A smudge ceremony was held when it was officially unveiled.

Bobbie told newspaper Orillia Matters: “Dream catchers are very spiritual for certain cultures.

"There are different cultures that see dream catchers differently than us, so this is going to be very powerful for a lot of people."

He added: “They provide a powerful energy. I’ve seen it work.”

He hopes his dreamcatcher will help keep his community safe.