Pendleton has a line of blankets that they refer to as their Heritage Collection, the Pendleton blankets are old blanket designs which Pendleton brings back from it's history. Occasionally one of these blankets are retired and another is issued, the lineup as it exists today is 6 blankets as indicated below.
The Silver Bark is one of the most popular of the Heritage blankets. This blanket comes in twin-full, queen size and king size. Originally called the Aspen blanket and later renamed the Silver Bark this Pendleton blanket was inspired by the silver and grey bark of the Aspen tree.
The Gatekeeper blanket is an original Pendleton design harking from 1935. The blanket contains a central design element falling within a band through the center of the blanket which is an example of a Center Point pattern. The central figure is an eight pointed star which is a common design of the various Sioux peoples. Representing a morning star, the design indicates a new beginning with the break of dawn. The Gatekeeper of the morning shows the way to the new light and knowledge of the dawning day.
Pendleton Iroquois Turtle Blanket
The Iroquois Turtle Blanket is a reincarnation of an early 1900s Pendleton design. The Turtle blanket pays tribute to the Iroquois Confederacy, one of the oldest democracies on earth, consisting of the Oneida, Seneca, Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga (and later the Tuscarora) Nations. The Turtle design was inspired by Iroquois, primarily Mohawk, legend. Long ago, the earth was covered with deep water and there were no people. According to stories, the birds saw Skywoman fall from the sky. As she fell, she grabbed the roots of a tree from heaven. The birds spread their wings together to save her. Only the Turtle was strong enough to hold her, so they placed her on the turtle’s back. There she planted the root; and as her garden grew, Turtle grew in size first becoming a large island, then finally North America, known as Turtle Island.
Pendleton Evening Star Blanket
The Pendleton Evening Star features and traditional star symbol set upon the colors of the sunset. The blanket has been inspired by the Venus symbols that have been found on rock art throughout North and South America. These Venus symbols represent both the morning and evening stars and are found in many Native American myths. In northern Montana the Assiniboine people tell the tale of two brothers who became the morning and evening star in order to assist their tribe. The Pawnee tell of how Tirawa Atius, the high god gave duties to the sun, the moon and the stars. Female Evening Star created a celestial garden to the west while Morning Star sent rain to her garden and there Mother Maize grew food to feed the people. Zuni stories tell of a competition to win the heart of Evening Star and when Morning Star won her interest the world was born.
Pendleton Canyon Diablo Blanket
The Canyon Diablo blanket includes diamonds, arrows, mountains and other graphics inspired by Native Americans. The blanket pays homage to the Canyon Diablo meteorite and impact upon the Arizona landscape. Landing in Northern Arizona upon what is now the Navajo reservation 50,000 years ago it predates human presence upon the land. Evidence suggests that the Anasazi people used fragments found along the rim for trade. In many Southwestern cultures Canyon Diablo Crater is considered a sacred spot. Myth suggests that the fragments of the meteorite contain magic powers and other special energy which probably is because of their magnetic properties.
