For many Canadians, blankets are more than just a warm addition to our winter wardrobe. They have deep meanings and a connection to our national identity. They evoke fond childhood memories and are embedded in family histories, but they also have a painful political significance. For some, they are a reminder of the enduring impact of colonialism and systemic racism. For others, they are a powerful tool for healing.

Thow Blankets are woven with a variety of patterns and colours, and often carry layered meanings. The iconic Hudson’s Bay Point Blanket, for example, was first manufactured in 1779 and features white with red, green, yellow, and indigo stripes. The points are a series of thin black lines woven into the selvage of the blanket, and the word “point” derives from the French word empointer, which means “to make threaded stitches on cloth.” The stripes were originally used to indicate the finished overall size of the blanket; merchants at HBC trading posts priced them by the number of points.

Canadian-Made Blankets: Supporting Local Craftsmanship

In central and eastern Canada, Metis and French settlers turned their HBC blankets into coats called capote (a type of handmade wrap). The use of these coats at various Winter Olympics strengthened the association between HBC stripes and Canada.

However, HBC’s blankets also helped to spread smallpox among Indigenous people in western Canada. While HBC employees did not intend to do so, the blankets allowed smallpox to spread from European to Indigenous populations and help colonial authorities claim land without negotiating treaties.