Why Indigenous Blankets Belong at Graduation Ceremonies

Why Indigenous Blankets Belong at Graduation Ceremonies

Graduation is more than a ceremony. It’s a rite of passage — a moment that marks transition, achievement, and possibility. For Indigenous students and their communities, that moment carries even deeper significance.

One way to honour that milestone? With an Indigenous blanket.

The Blanket as Ceremony

In many Indigenous cultures, gifting a blanket is a sacred tradition. It represents warmth, protection, and belonging. It’s a way of saying: you are seen, you are loved, you carry this community with you. Blankets aren’t just cozy — they’re cultural carriers.

When used at graduation, the gesture is powerful. Draping a blanket over a graduate’s shoulders tells a story: one of resilience, heritage, and hope. It reminds us that no achievement happens alone — it’s a collective victory.

For All Graduates, Not Just Indigenous Students

You don’t have to be Indigenous to honour Indigenous traditions. More schools, universities, and families across Calgary and Alberta are embracing the idea of gifting Indigenous blankets at convocation.

It’s not about appropriation. It’s about appreciation — and about supporting Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs in the process.

Choosing the Right Blanket

Boy Chief Trading Post offers a wide selection of high-quality blankets from Indigenous designers and brands. From traditional motifs to modern prints, each one is a meaningful keepsake that honours the past while celebrating the future.

We’re happy to work with schools and families to curate custom gifting options that feel personal, ethical, and empowering.

Wrap Them in Something That Matters

A diploma is a document. A blanket is a memory. When you gift a blanket from Boy Chief, you’re wrapping a graduate in something that says: you’ve earned this, and we honour every step that brought you here.


 

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