Canadian Tire is set to offer the iconic Hudson’s Bay point blankets as part of a new initiative to support Indigenous-led programs. The company has affirmed its commitment to donating a minimum of $1 million annually to Oshki Wupoowane, The Blanket Fund, through an enhanced collaboration with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund.
The funds will be allocated towards grants benefiting grassroots Indigenous organizations and various cultural, artistic, and educational projects. Earlier this year, Canadian Tire acquired HBC’s intellectual property, including the renowned Hudson’s Bay stripes, for $30 million. This acquisition did not encompass the company’s art, artifacts, and archives, some of which are scheduled for auction next month.
Despite the popularity of the HBC point blankets today, they have a contentious history due to their ties to the company’s colonial past. These blankets were once used as trade currency by early European settlers in Canada and have been linked to the intentional spread of smallpox to Indigenous communities in the 1700s and 1800s.
The Blanket Fund was established in 2022 with an initial investment of $1 million from the Hudson’s Bay Foundation. The commitment was made to direct 100% of the proceeds from Hudson’s Bay point blanket sales to the fund in pursuit of truth and reconciliation.
Greg Hicks, President and CEO of Canadian Tire, expressed pride in upholding HBC’s legacy and emphasized the company’s dedication to preserving the cultural significance of the Hudson’s Bay Point Blanket. Through the extended partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, Canadian Tire aims to facilitate meaningful reconciliation and cultural preservation for future generations.