Going forward, 100% of net proceeds from sales of the Point Blanket will support Indigenous cultural, artistic and educational activities in Canada.
Hudson’s Bay Foundation and the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) have partnered to create the Oshki Wupoowane/ The Blanket Fund. The fund can be accessed by both grassroots Indigenous communities and organizations, and by Indigenous individuals undertaking related initiatives.
“The HBC point blanket is a powerful representation of the company’s history, and it factors into many different stories and connections to our past,” says Iain Nairn, president and CEO of The Bay. “Today’s action is part of many we are taking to reconcile with Indigenous communities.”
Founded in 1670, HBC is North America’s oldest company. In 2021, Hudson’s Bay Foundation launched Hudson’s Bay Foundation Charter for Change, committing $30 million over 10 years to accelerate racial equity in communities across Canada.
The foundation is kicking off the new Oshki Wupoowane/ The Blanket Fund project with a a $1 million contribution.
“This work helps to acknowledge and share more about the defining role HBC played in colonization and is a meaningful step forward on the path toward truth and reconciliation,” said Sarah Midanik, resident & CEO, The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. “This fund will support Indigenousled initiatives and will create opportunities throughout Canada for Indigenous people, communities and organizations to build capacity, tell their own stories and elevate the strength of their communities.
