College of Pharmacy and Nutrition unveils Ribbon Blanket to honour Indigenous histories and relationships

On Oct. 2, 2026, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Pharmacy and Nutrition community gathered to unveil its Ribbon Blanket, creating an opportunity for reflection, learning, and recognition of Indigenous cultures, histories, and relationships.

Faculty, staff, students, and community members came together to recognize the significance of the Ribbon Blanket Project and its role in fostering connection, respect, and reconciliation across campus.

The college's Indigenous Initiatives Advisory Committee worked with the Office of the Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement to bring the initiative to the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition. Committee members and college contributors Tracy Hastings, Gen Clark, Julia Bareham, and Jena Boyko helped support the project, with communications support from Jason Belhumeur.

During the gathering, speakers who participated in weaving the blanket shared the personal impact this had on them, and shared reflections on the importance of Indigenous initiatives and meaningful acts of commemoration. The college also thanked everyone who attended and offered special appreciation to Elder Duquette for participating in and contributing to the event.

A meaningful response to the discovery of unmarked graves

The Ribbon Blanket is part of a broader USask initiative that began following the discovery of Le Estcwicwiy̓ ("the missing") at Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. The initiative invited members of the campus community to tie an orange ribbon for each child onto buildings and objects across the university.

As additional unmarked graves were identified at former residential school sites across Turtle Island, the initiative grew. More than 9,000 ribbons were placed throughout the USask campus. Although organizers originally planned to burn the ribbons in a sacred fire after one year, they determined that approach was not appropriate because the ribbons were made from non-organic materials.

In response, the mistatimôk committee, which supports meaningful and authentic acts of commemoration related to decolonization and reconciliation, developed an alternative approach by transforming the ribbons into blankets.

The Ribbon Blanket Project provides a lasting way to honour the children, remember the spirits, and reflect on the ongoing impacts of residential schools. The blankets displayed across campus serve as visible reminders of the importance of remembrance, learning, and continued commitments to reconciliation.

A continuing commitment to learning and reconciliation

The College of Pharmacy and Nutrition's Ribbon Blanket is displayed on the second floor of D Wing, across from Room 2D40. It is one of several Ribbon Blankets located throughout the USask campus.

Its presence offers an ongoing opportunity for members of the college community to pause, reflect, and deepen their understanding of Indigenous histories and experiences. It also reinforces the importance of building respectful relationships and ensuring reconciliation remains part of the college's ongoing work and learning.

Learn more about the University of Saskatchewan Ribbon Blanket Project:
https://indigenous.usask.ca/indigenous-initiatives/blanket-project.php