Blanket Project Launch

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023
Time: 3:30 pm
Location: Link Gallery, Murray Library

The Blanket Project is a resolution to a significant initiative that began with the discovery of 215 bodies found at Tk’emlúps Residential School. Its original purpose was to tie an orange ribbon for each spirit onto the buildings and objects on the USask campus. Sadly, as more unmarked graves were found across Turtle Island, the need for commemoration grew, resulting in over 9000 ribbons being placed.

Initially, the intention was to burn the ribbons in a sacred fire. However, due to the ribbons’ non-organic nature, it was deemed inappropriate and unsafe to do so. In light of this, the Mistatimōk committee, tasked with guiding the USask community towards meaningful and authentic commemorations related to decolonization and reconciliation, decided on an alternative approach – implementing the ribbons into blankets, incorporating patterns of healing and celebration representing various nations across Turtle Island, including those across the Medicine Line.

The first pattern to be woven will be the 8-pointed star used in achakakohp, the traditional Star Blankets of the nêhiyawak and many other peoples of the plains. The Star Blanket acts as a blueprint for nêhiyawak cosmology and ways of being that connect life on earth to the teachings of the stars and the spirit world. We know the Star Blanket is used to honour, protect, and celebrate an individual. “Receiving a star blanket brings good dreams, prosperity, and protection. The star does not only represent the Morning Star but it's also known as the Creator's Eye, therefore when the Creator is with you, covering you, you are forever safe.”

The blankets will symbolize collective strength, resilience, and a commitment to reconciliation as the community moves forward in acknowledging the painful history and working towards a more inclusive future with Indigenous people. The blanket project is a reminder of the atrocities committed in the past and present day and is a step towards healing and honouring the lives of those affected by the Residential school system.

Everyone in our campus community is invited to attend and learn more about the project and how your unit can participate in this initiative.

Huskie Athletics logo: exploring the imagery

During the University of Saskatchewan Week of Reflection September 25-30, Huskie Athletics is proud to share a new logo. Championed by a group of Indigenous student-athletes, they collaborated with First Nations artist Chris Chipak to design a reimagined logo with symbolism that reflects their resiliency and identity as a part of Huskie Athletics.

In a commitment to continue education and advocacy for Truth and Reconciliation, this logo will be worn by all Huskie Athletics student-athletes, coaches, and support staff over the weekend of September 30th.

• Huskies Week of Reflection schedule

USask retirees announce new “Let’s Fly Up Together” Indigenous Reconciliation Award

The University of Saskatchewan Retirees Association (USRA) has created a new award—the Ohpahotân/oohpaahotaan – “Let’s Fly Up Together” Award—to celebrate the efforts of retirees who have advanced the university’s Indigenous Strategy gifted to the university as a companion to University Plan 2025.

The award will honour a USask individual retiree or a pair or group of individuals that includes one or more USask retirees whose efforts significantly advance one or more commitments of the Ohpahotân/oohpaahotaan—"Let’s Fly Up Together” Indigenous Strategy. The call for nominations will take place in early 2024.

• Learn more