Pendleton Mills Revives Cayuse Blanket Designs

PENDLETON, Ore. - Seldom has reviving history been so warm and fuzzy.

But of course, warm and fuzzy are two common characteristics of wool blankets. And history will be revived, when the Pendleton Woolen Mills produces a limited edition series of old Cayuse blankets for Tamastslikt Cultural Institute.

Those descriptions could also apply to the emotions the project stirred up.

"In the process of selecting from among the Cayuse label designs, heart strings were touched by some of the patterns," said Bobbie Conner, chief operating officer at Tamastslikt.

"There are fond memories attached to these, which is why it's nice to do this," she said.

Staff at the Institute selected six designs from an illustrated history book, "The Language of the Robe," and took those designs to community groups and tribal elders.

"When community members saw them, they were reminded of ancestors and family members" who had similar blankets, Conner said. "It was touching."

"And they chose because so many of them remember them," added Tamastslikt store manager Joan Deroko. "They remember seeing them in their families."

The designs are also unique. "The reason we thought it was a wonderful idea is that it's so different from what they (Pendleton) are doing today," Deroko said.

The series will be different from current blanket styles, says Bill Nance, manager of the blanket division at the Pendleton Woolen Mills plant in Portland.

"This is kind of a departure," he said.

The original blankets were produced under the Cayuse label from 1913-1934. They will be reintroduced under the Beaver State label, and will bear a commemorative patch explaining the reissue.

The limited edition series - 64-inch by 80-inch blankets and matching pillows - will be available only through the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation's new cultural center, which is scheduled to open sometime this summer. No price has been set yet.

Tribal staff were in Portland recently to finalize the contractual agreement with Pendleton Woolen Mills, and signed off on the design and colors of the first blanket.

The first design will be manufactured in at least three - or possibly four - colors: cream, forest green, red and turquoise. The number of background colors produced will depend on Pendleton Woolen Mills' production schedule, Conner said.

"We're doing this in fairly short order," she said. "They're making accommodations for us."

It's not just in arranging production schedules that the company has been gracious, Conner said.

"It's part of a longstanding relationship we hope will continue to be important and beneficial to both the Woolen Mills and the Tribes," she said.