American Indian College Fund Introduces the Spirit Series

American Indian College Fund
Monday, 25 August 1997

A Limited Edition of Pendleton Blankets Designed By Indian Artists

Indian robes and blankets, whether made of buffalo hides, cedar bark fiber, or sheep's wool, have long been a part of Indian cultures and admired for their function and beauty. However, as traditional robe-making practices have waned over the past century, Pendleton Woolen Mills, based in Oregon, has become synonymous with the American Indian trade blanket.

Commemorating the tradition of the Indian robe over 100 years of the Pendleton trade blanket, the American Indian College Fund is pleased to announce the introduction of a new series of blankets, the Spirit Series, created exclusively for the Fund by Indian artists and produced by the Pendleton Woolen Mills Company. The sale of each blanket in the Spirit Series, designed by highly respected Native American artists, helps the Fund, a non-profit organization, in its mission to raise money to support the 30 Indian colleges in the United States.

The Spirit Series continues the tradition of the Indian blanket - with history, craftsmanship, artistry and generosity interwoven together -- and comes full circle with the first blanket in the series entitled Blackfeet Legend of the Horse. Designed by Blackfeet artist Michael Gray and inspired by tribal legend, this inaugural, limited edition blanket will be available for purchase beginning September 1, 1997.

"Many of our lessons in life and history are learned by ancient stories handed down through centuries of oral teachings by our grandparents. Our legends and history are as real and alive for us today as they were for my grandparents, and their grandparents", Gray said when describing his reasons for participating in the project.

"It is important that we continue to tell the stories that shape our tribal nations so that my grandchildren will know who they are and where they come from, and so that the public has a greater awareness of tribal cultures past and present", Gray began as he retold the Blackfeet legend of the horse.

"There once was a man who was very fond of a certain buckskin horse. One day war broke out between the Blackfeet and the Sioux and the horse was badly wounded. The man put yellow paint on the horse's wounds and made a smudge of sweet grass, then sang sacred songs and asked the horse to get up. Three times the horse tried to stand but could not. Finally on the fourth try the horse was able to rise, and slowly the man led him home. In gratitude to his faithful and loving master, the buckskin horse gave the man a gift: a tipi decorated with the image of a horse. Not only was it beautiful to behold but the tipi had special powers and the man became famous ever after for his ability to heal the sick."

The American Indian College Fund believes that legends like these need to be celebrated and shared to assure that they will not be lost forever. The blanket series is a compliment to the work the Fund is doing in educating the public to the richness and depth of American Indian culture and the work that the tribal colleges are doing to preserve their culture. Purchase of the blankets provides funds for scholarships and endowment.

Artistic direction for The Spirit Series has been provided by David Kennedy, co-founder of Wieden & Kennedy, the American Indian College Fund's award-winning pro-bono ad agency. The agency has also provided marketing support for the project.

"The Spirit Series is such an exciting project for us," said David Kennedy, who also serves on the Fund's Board of Trustees. "In working with the American Indian College Fund and with Pendleton, we have an immensely marketable product of great beauty and quality that helps us raise funds for the Indian colleges. And it does it in a way that honors history and culture and furthers the colleges' mission of preserving cultural traditions."

Pendleton blankets are frequently, and proudly, worn by tribal people at pow-wows and ceremonies on reservations across the country and are often honored gifts at traditional celebrations or events such as an honoring ceremony or memorial. Old or new, Pendleton blankets are widely prized by Indians and non-Indians for their value as collectibles and for their decorative appeal.

"Pendleton is honored to have had a part in the Spirit Series," commented Bill Nance, Manager of Pendleton Woolen Mills Blanket Division. "The design of the Blackfeet Legend of the Horse by Michael Gray exceeds our highest expectation. Transforming Michael's design from canvas to loom has truly been a rewarding experience for us."

The Blackfeet Legend of the Horse blanket is now available for sale. The museum quality, limited edition of 1,200 signed, numbered blankets are manufactured for the American Indian College Fund by Pendleton Woolen Mills, of Beaver State Quality. Each 66" x 39" blanket is $350, plus $10 for shipping and handling. Each collector's blanket will continue to appreciate in value.

The generous donation of design and marketing services allow us to direct over 70 percent of the retail cost to member colleges. The American Indian College Fund provides scholarships to students attending the 31 tribal colleges so that may acquire the skills for employment and financial self-sufficiency and tribal traditions that keep ancient cultures alive.

To place an order or for more information about the Spirit Series and the Blackfeet Legend of the Horse blanket, please call 1-800-880-5887.

In addition to the new Spirit Series, the American Indian College Fund has previously commissioned four museum quality blankets that form the Hope Series. These larger, limited edition blankets (64" x 80") are also available for purchase to support the work of the Fund.

The American Indian College Fund was launched in 1989 by the presidents of the tribal colleges to ensure that scholarships for Indian students and resources to ensure the educational opportunities continued to grow. By providing public education and awareness about the work of the tribal colleges and enlisting the support of corporations, foundations and individuals the American Indian College Fund distributed close to $2,000,000 to over 4,000 students attending member colleges in 1996. To date the Fund has raised nearly $30 million for scholarships, endowment, Native American Studies and teacher-training programs.

For more information, or to contact American Indian College Fund, see their website at: www.collegefund.org