Indian Traders offers a beautiful range of Pendleton blankets, including Native American blankets. But are these genuinely “Native American”?
KEY INSIGHTS
· Pendleton Woolen Mills in Oregon has designed and produced blankets, shawls, and robes specifically for Native American tribes since 1909.
· While not necessarily made by Native Americans (although historically, Native American people have been employed there), the Native American blanket designs produced by Pendleton are informed and inspired by the traditional patterns and motifs of several tribes.
· Pendleton is not Native American-owned, but it has always transparently acknowledged that Native American culture is its inspiration, and it gives back to these communities in several ways. Pendleton has established and nurtured relationships with numerous Nations and Tribes, and incorporates designs both historical and by contemporary Native American artists, who are paid for their work.
· Pendleton’s collection of American Indian College Fund (AICF) blankets directly helps fund scholarships to tribal colleges and actively makes a difference. Purchase online at Indian Traders.
Traditional Native American Blankets
In the past, and before the introduction of modern techniques, North America’s indigenous people made blankets from the hides of large animals like bison or the pelts of small animals; these were sewn together. Alternatively, they were woven from wool, cotton, feathers, down, or even shredded bark.
Trade Blankets
European settlement brought wool blankets to the Americas, and the convenience, durability, and comfort of these were very appealing; this led to their unrivalled value as trade items with the local Native tribes. The brighter and more vibrant the blanket’s color, the more value it held to the tribal peoples. These soon became referred to as “Indian Trade” blankets.
The earliest blankets traded with the Native Americans were block designs and European plaids; in time, blankets were designed specifically for the tribes they were traded with. These were integrated into the Native communities for both ceremonial and everyday use, and were highly valued.
Historically, just six manufacturers produced wool blankets and robes for the “Indian Trade’; Pendleton is today the sole surviving trade blanket producer.
Native American Man Operating Loom at Pendleton Woolen Mills, c1915
(Image via Pendleton University Oregon Libraries)
Pendleton Woolen Mills and Native American Blankets
Pendleton Woolen Mills in Oregon has produced blankets, shawls, and robes for Native American tribes since 1909. The core focus was originally on producing blankets with genuine Native American designs in eye-catching colors for the northwest Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla tribes.
From the outset, pattern designers at the mill took great care to spend time with and learn from local tribes in northeastern Oregon, finding out their preferred patterns and colors, then interpreting these ideas into blanket designs to be made using technology like the modern looms of the time. These technologies enabled the patterns to be crafted in more vibrant, vivid colors and detail than traditional native weaving methods allowed.
Blanket designer and maker Joseph Rawnsley lived with several tribes, including the Nez Perce, and his original designs became very popular amongst them. He sought further inspiration from other tribes, including the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni, from whom he took inspiration from pre-existing weaving, pottery, and regalia designs.
The blankets made by Pendleton specifically for Native trade became highly prized possessions.
Are These Blankets Really Native American?
The patterns that emerged from the research and talent of Joseph Rawnsley and those created today are a combination of Native-inspired and Native-made designs.
While not actually made by Native Americans (although historically, some Native American people were indeed employed at Pendleton), the Native American blanket designs produced have been informed and inspired by the traditional patterns and motifs of several tribes.
Pendleton has established and nurtured relationships with numerous Native American Nations and Tribes, and incorporates designs both historical and by contemporary Native American artists, who are paid for their work. While it’s true that Pendleton is not Native American-owned, it has always transparently and fully acknowledged that Native American culture is its inspiration and the company gives back to these communities. These blankets have also contributed to raising millions of dollars for the American Indian College Fund. As much as half of Pendleton’s blanket business today is for Native American groups.
Cultural Significance Today
While there is nothing quite like owning a one-of-a-kind Native-handmade rug or throw blanket bought directly from the artisan in their own community, Pendleton blankets retain a special place in Native American life today and are prized possessions for both Native and non-Native people alike. From the Navajo to the Nez Perce, the Hopi to the Plains Tribes, the Cayuse to the Salish, these blankets are gifted, used to wrap newborns, used in weddings and as ceremonial robes, and in everyday use for warmth, décor, and other practical functions.
Furthermore, Pendleton’s collection of American Indian College Fund (AICF) blankets directly helps fund scholarships to tribal colleges and actively makes a positive contribution and difference to many Native American lives.
Buy your own beautiful Native American-inspired Pendleton blankets and throw blankets at Indian Traders now.