As the weather improves in the Pacific Northwest, and your weekends become more adventurous, consider a trip to our Washougal Pendleton Store. Washougal is just across the bridge from Portland. In fact, it sits on the banks of the beautiful Columbia River. One reason to visit? You can see the new mural on the north wall of the Pendleton Woolen Mills building.
The design incorporates Pendleton’s park and camp stripes into a landscape of the Columbia Gorge, and includes the river’s landmarks. Sharp-eyed viewers have identified Cape Horn, Beacon Rock, Mount Hood and the Columbia River. This is a perfect place for a selfie or two. Tag us with @pendletonwm or #Pendleton because we would love to see your smiles against this colorful backdrop.
Artist Travis London
The mural had its official unveiling and dedication last fall.
Travis London, a Vancouver School District art teacher who grew up in Washougal, has painted quite a few public murals there.
His next project will be a mural on the Inter-Faith Treasure House building. The mural, artist, and event were featured in the East Oregonian.
According to the article, Travis first approached the company in 2012. “It means a lot,” he said. “I grew up in Washougal, and I’ve been here basically my whole life. That building is one of the town’s (most significant cultural) landmarks. Leaving my mark and creating something that the com-munity can appreciate makes me feel really good. That’s the whole point of doing public art — trying to connect with the community and hopefully make something that they enjoy.” Pendleton gifted artist Travis London with a blanket to thank him for his vision and persistence.
Visit Us Soon
Come see the mural in person! If you’re visiting on a weekday, you can take a tour of our Washougal Mill. Here’s a link for a tour information: https://www.pendleton-usa.com/mill-tours.html
Pendleton at 2 Pendleton Way Washougal, WA. 98671 (360) 835-1118
Cellular One and Pendleton have partnered on a philanthropic initiative to raise awareness and contribute to nonprofits working toward solutions that address the disproportionately high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous persons. This spring the two companies commissioned “The Healing Blanket,” designed by a talented Navajo Artist Leandra Yazzie. For this special limited edition of the blanket, 100% of the proceeds from sales will go to support two nonprofits, MMDR: Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives, and NIWRC: National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center.
About the NIWRC
The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center provides national leadership to end violence against American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women by lifting up the collective voices of grassroots advocates and offering culturally grounded resources, technical assistance and training, and policy development to strengthen tribal sovereignty. Learn more at https://www.niwrc.org/
THE HEALING BLANKET
The Healing Blanket
Against the blue of Father Sky, songbirds rise from Mother Earth to greet the healing rays of Morning Sun. The birds carry messages of harmony, balance, and renewal in a design that brings awareness to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Movement. A band of turquoise symbolizes Life, with bands of red for missing Native relatives who will never be forgotten. Diné artisan Leandra Yazzie’s design brings a message of resilience and hope.
LEANDRA YAZZIE
Artist and designer Leandra Yazzie (Diné) lives in Blue Gap, Arizona. Growing up, her grandmother and aunt, both renowned Navajo weavers, shared their talents, techniques, and histories with her. Ms. Yazzie credits the resilient woman in her life with inspiring the vibrant cultural undertones that inform her work.
Pendleton is proud to present a new coloration of our Chief Joseph blanket, a subtle hue called Rosewood.
NARA
A purchase of this beautiful blanket benefits the women’s health program of NARA, a Native American-owned, Native American-operated, nonprofit agency.
The Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA) Women’s Wellness Program provides culturally tailored breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services for American Indian and Alaska Native women. NARA works to bring care to underserved, uninsured, and underinsured women, and those who are rarely or never screened for breast and cervical cancer. In additional to screening and diagnostic services, NARA offers assistance with referral coordination, transportation and navigation of health care appointments.
We had a conversation with NARA’s Yolanda Moisa about NARA’s women’s health program.
PWM: Can you tell me about your organization’s mission?
YM: Our mission at NARA is to provide education, physical and mental health services and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives and anyone in need. Our purpose is to achieve the highest level of physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing for American Indians and Alaska Native people.
Our women’s health program is a critical part of our larger physical health outreach. It’s the women who make this program so rewarding. Throughout the 20 years of this program, we have helped women from all backgrounds. Each person is unique and has a story to tell. We save lives daily. Our hope and goal is prevention and no cases of cancer ever, however, the reality is that catching cancer sooner than later makes for a much better prognosis.
PWM: Can you tell us about some of your more rewarding moments?
YM: There are so many stories of success and how we help women, we are helping generations of women. A story that comes to mind is that we had a woman who had just moved to the Portland area and came in for another visit and our staff noticed she was due for her yearly women’s exams. When she received her results from her mammogram a small lump in her breast was detected. She did find out that it was cancerous, it was caught at Stage 1. We walked her through her options and our team was there to answer all her questions. Just having someone listen to her and help manage the many appointments that come with cancer treatment was a comfort. More importantly, she brought her daughter in and sisters in to be tested, again changing lives.
PWM: When did NARA form and how many people have you served?
NARA has been in the community since 1970, and offering medical care since 1993. Since 1996 we have helped Women receive over 7000 MAMS and over 8000 PAPS. The women’s health program offers women’s services at both clinics where screenings, and references for mammograms to low income, uninsured Native women. We want to provide early detection for breast and cervical cancer. As an urban facility, we’ve been able to serve members from over 250 tribes, nations, bands, who are all able to access any of the services here.
PWM: That’s fantastic. What drew you to this program, Yolanda?
YM: I came to NARA after many years in the corporate legal field. I’m a member of the Tule River Tribe in Porterville CA, and it was always my intention to return to working with Native Americans–to give back. Throughout my career I have volunteered and advocated for women and children. Coming to NARA was like finding a family that truly “got it”, understanding what it means to help our community. I see my family in the many faces in our waiting rooms: my grandmother, aunties, uncles, mother and siblings. It’s pretty amazing!
PWM: Are there special challenges within the Native American community?
YM: For Native women, there is a history of trauma around medical services. Along with assault, abuse and harassment, there is a documented history of forced sterilization. This painful history plays into fear and mistrust of medicine.
Our CDC grant allows us to do something special for Native American and Alaska Native women—weekend clinic sessions that we call the Well Women’s Event. These events are designed as a safe place for women. It’s not uncommon to have generations of women from families come together. The grandmother, mother and daughter will all come for the daughter’s first mammogram for support. We open the clinic to women only. Our guests are welcomed to a Native crafts night, and a women-only talking circle. The nurse on staff gives one-on-one advice and education. We offer cervical cancer screens here, and transport woman safely to and from an off-site mammogram facility.
Any woman who gets a screening receives culturally specific books about women’s health, including “Journey Woman: A Native Woman’s Guide to Wellness”. Through the generosity of Pendleton we were allowed to use Pendleton motifs in the books.
When women see themselves in health materials, it builds trust and adds warmth to what can be a very cold environment. Some women come just for the community events, and that’s fine. Our goal is to make women’s healthcare safe and communal, almost a celebration of womanhood.
PWM: How does the Pendleton blanket help?
YM: Each purchase of the blanket generates a donation to NARA. The money will go into the women’s health program, helping us expand our outreach to various underserved and marginalized communities within Portland. We hope to start momentum that leads to continuing healthcare. If we can save one life, we’re proud. Hopefully with these added donations we will continue to help many more women. Thank you Pendleton!
If you would like to help NARA through direct donation, feel free to contact Yolanda Moisa at ymoisa@naranorthwest.org or 503-224-1044.
More Info
If you would like to help through the purchase of the special edition Chief Joseph blanket (Rosewood color only), see it HERE:
We’re always excited about our Pendleton Eco-Wise Wool offerings; throws and bed blankets that pass strict standards of sustainability and environmental stewardship. We’re especially excited about our newest striped Eco-Wise Wool throws in four new Cabin Stripes.
These throws combine the simple, enduring appeal of stripes with the heathered yarns that make our Yakima Camp blankets so popular. Our goal with the Cabin Stripes was to create a palette that ranged from cool neutrals to warm earth tones that will work in sophisticated living rooms, comfy lounges, cabins, lofts, and campers. We want this throw to go anywhere!
Which one is your favorite?
Oxford
Shale
Grey
Faun
A Little History
Striped blankets in heathered wool have a long history that stretches back to the ombre-striped bedrolls use by cattle hands and shepherds in the American West. During the day, they were tightly rolled and tied to the saddle, and at night they were unrolled for a night’s rest under the stars.
Made in American with naturally renewable wool, each Eco-Wise throw is machine washable, and will hold its color through every wash. You might not be unrolling yours by the campfire at night after a long day on the trail. But maybe you’ll drape one over your shoulders on a summer night when the temperature drops.
They’ve opened their home to you for hospitality and celebration. What do you bring along to say thank you? A bottle of wine is welcome and traditional. Isn’t there a more lasting way to express your gratitude?
Here are our top five ideas for gifts for the host or hostess.
#5 National Park Coffee Mugs
Start the day with the Great Outdoors. These oversized mugs pay tribute to America’s Treasures with their designs based on labels for our popular National Park Series blankets.
#4 Oversized Spa Towels
Whether used at the beach or as a bath sheet at home, there is a towel to suit everyone’s personality here, including fun collabs with Disney, Harry Potter and Tommy Bahama.
#3 Pendleton x Yeti Yoga Mats
Namaste. Need we say more? Photo by Kristian Irey.
#2 Roll-Up Blanket
A year-round favorite for picnics, concerts and sporting events, our roll-up will be ready to go anywhere with your host, thanks to its built-in handle.
#1 – The 5th Avenue Throw
Luxury from our USA mills in 100% merino wool. Now, that’s how you say thank you!
If you need more ideas, visit www.pendleton-usa. And have a wonderful holiday!
BodyVox, the innovative Portland dance company, creates work that breaks boundaries in the most beautiful ways. From their website:
Breathtaking productions rich in imagery, athleticism and humor: Led by Emmy Award-winning choreographers Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland, BodyVox is known for its visual virtuosity, distinctive wit and unique ability to combine dance, theater and film into breathtaking productions rich in imagery, athleticism and humor. Since its founding in 1997, BodyVox has toured to critical acclaim on stages around the world, developed 9 award winning films, 30 original shows and 3 operas, featuring more than 200 original dances.
The Calendar
We were delighted to open our BodyVox 2017 calendar and find some beautiful shots featuring Pendleton. March takes flight with this image.
Photo courtesy BodyVox, used with permission
Of course, you all recognize the Original Board Shirt made famous by the Beach Boys. The blanket is the Water Blanket from our series that benefits the American Indian College Fund.
The Water Blanket
Inspired by a blanket in an early 20th-century photograph by Edward S. Curtis, this blanket is inspired by the peerless weaving of the American Southwest. It incorporates classic Navajo elements in an eye-dazzling pattern. The central dragonfly, an emblem of water, symbolizes life.
In April, we hosted an Instameet at Cannon Beach . Photographers came together to connect, share photo opportunities and models, and enjoy Stumptown cold brew, a bonfire and a hotdog roast! People brought their Pendleton blankets and wore their Pendleton flannels. Families, cameras, dogs and above it all, the beauty of Haystack Rock, an Oregon Coast icon.
Below is just a sampling of images sent to us. You can find more on Instagram, of course (#thatpnwmeet) . The photos capture the #mypendleton experience through so many lenses (all rights to all images: Pendleton Woolen Mills).
We want to thank everyone who came out and had a good time.
What’s Next?
If you missed the fun at cannon Beach, please don’t be sad. We’re part of another Instameet this Saturday, June 25th 2016, meeting at 4 PM at Trillium Lake on Mount Hood. Square Mile Cider is one of the sponsors, and there will be some Pendleton and MVMT giveaways!
Hosted by @idkpdx @kyle.pnw @richbacon @temporaryeternal @jordan_littleton – contact them on Instagram for more information.
We can’t wait to see your #mypendleton shots on Instagram.
Our friend Greg Hatten, the WoodenBoat adventurer, is floating some of our country’s National Parks as part of the centennial celebration of the National Park Service. To celebrate Yellowstone national park’s 144th birthday, we are looking back at Greg’s trip on the Yellowstone River. Enjoy!
All About Greg
Greg Hatten is an accomplished guide and fisherman who splits his time between Missouri and Oregon. He is happiest on the river in his wooden drift boat, the Portola. Greg’s Portola was built to the exact specs of the original Portola piloted by conservationist Martin Litton down the Colorado River in 1964 as part of a historic journey that helped save the Grand Canyon. As difficult as it is to believe, there were plans at the time to dam the Colorado River, flood the Grand Canyon and turn it into a gigantic reservoir. Wooden drift boaters took to the river, along with a documentary crew, to make a film that brought national attention to the proposed reservoir project. This river journey helped save the Grand Canyon for future generations. Greg’s 2014 recreation of this journey is part of his larger commitment to our National Parks.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, Greg is running rivers through some of our most beloved Parks. Pendleton will be following his journeys on our blog, starting with his trip to Yellowstone Lake.
As Greg says in his blog post:
On this WoodenBoat adventure… it was late May and the lakes in Yellowstone National Park were free of ice earlier this year than anyone could remember. Usually on Memorial Day weekend, this park is just waking up from its winter hibernation – the snow is patchy in places, the campgrounds are just starting to open, and the staff and crew coming from around the country to work for the summer are learning the answers to hundreds of questions they will be asked by the visiting tourists from around the world. The park was green, the wildlife was stirring and except for the sparse number of tourists, it seemed like it was midseason.
Greg sets up camp Pendleton-style, in a canvas tent with our Yellowstone National Park blanket AND one of our newest products. Greg has only good things to say about our new roll-ups, which are virgin wool camp blankets attached to a new waxed cotton fabric that we are just a little bit proud of.
As you can see, so far we are offering this blanket in Badlands, Glacier and Grand Canyon. Greg says it sleeps like a dream in the wild, and we trust his opinion. So go read all about his trip on his WoodenBoat blog, especially the meal. Everyone here in the office wants to try Greg’s campsite cuisine!
