Yesterday, the Department of History hosted a Blanket Witnessing Ceremony to recognize Washington State University’s relationship with the local Native people and to honor the history of the Pacific Northwest. The ceremony was organized by Ryan Booth, assistant professor, Department of History.
Representatives from the Schitsu’umsh (Coeur d’Alene) Tribe were present to witness and commemorate the moment through participation and speaking in their Indigenous language about the importance of these ceremonial blankets, which are often given in tribal communities as tributes of friendship and to mark important moments and events for the recipient to remember.
“WSU is land-grant institution—it’s on Native land, and therefore, WSU has a special obligation to Native people. I thought the ceremony was particularly important for us to do—to have this moment, to mark and remember and celebrate this relationship, and to build upon this relationship in the future. This blanket represents the long perspective of the relationship that exists between WSU and Northwest tribes,” said Booth.
The ceremony began with a prayer by Reverend Peter Byrne, SJ and followed with a traditional smudge ceremony conducted by CeCe Curtis-Cook. The smudge ceremony involved the burning of sacred plants treated as “medicine” to cleanse the space and provide a blessing. Guests were also welcome to receive a blessing by smudging.
Tribal Elder, Cindy LaDeaux, shared what she teaches to be the value of blankets. “They mean so much. And that meaning is different for different cultures,” said LaDeaux. There is a story behind each one that serves as a reminder, as a lesson, and as a means to connect to one’s history.
The Native designed blanket was presented as a symbolic act of the university’s connection to the Native peoples of the area and to serve as a daily reminder of this reverent relationship. The artist of the blanket is Gail White Eagle (Muckleshoot and Chehalis), and she designed it to honor the elk in a traditional Coast Salish design. Booth intentionally selected the blanket from Snoqualmie Tribe-owned, Eighth Generation, as the business offers 100% Native designed products.
Booth conceived of yesterday’s event following a visit to another university that displayed Native art around the campus. As an Upper Skagit, this artistic representation made him feel welcome on the campus.
“My sincerest hope is that we can create that same sort of feeling at WSU for all students and especially for our Native students,” said Booth.
The blanket currently adorns a wall within the history department’s main office as a daily visual reminder of the local Native American history and experience. “It has Indigenized the space and brought life to this building,” said Booth.
