Dreamcatchers are an authentic Native American tradition, from the Ojibway (Chippewa) tribe. Ojibway people would tie sinew strands in a web around a small round frame - similar to a snow shoe - and hang this 'dream - catcher' as a charm to protect sleeping children from nightmares. The legend is that bad dreams become entangled in the web. The authentic version was decorated with feathers and small stones. Images of dreamcatchers are captured in many mediums, including stained-glass.

Kokopelli is an ancient fertility and communication diety, usually depicted as a humpbacked flute player, who was venerated by some of the Southwestern Native American tribes, most notably the Hopi. He carried unborn children and seeds on his back, distributing the babies to women and seeds to farmers. He was a trickster god (perhaps because he sometimes delivered a baby to a woman who didn't want one!) and considered to embody the spirit of music itself. (Move your cursor over the violin for a view of the back.)

Norm Grimm has been the Director of Choral Activities at Sioux Center High School for twenty years, and husband of NISO Administrative Assistant Marlys Grimm for a good deal longer. He and Marlys have four talented children and
five adorable grandchildren. They are Mara, and husband Rockne; Cory, and wife Lynn, with children Kester, Elizabeth and Alexandra; Molly, and husband Tim with children Micah and Anna; and Adam and wife Beth.

(move your cursor over the picture for another view)