Every Blanket Begins With a Story
Stories can be told in many ways
Some are written.
Some are spoken.
Some are woven.
For generations, Salish weavings have carried stories of family, place and belonging. Each weaving holds knowledge that has been passed from one generation to the next, like a thread drawn through time. Every new weaving becomes part of that continuing story.
Salish Blanket Co. was founded on a simple belief: that these weavings should continue to be seen, lived with, and appreciated, while always remaining true to the traditions from which they come.
Our inaugural collection is drawn from original handmade weavings by Musqueam weavers Debra Sparrow and Aleen Sparrow. Every blanket begins first on a traditional Salish loom, where each weaving is created by hand using natural fibres before being thoughtfully translated into heirloom-quality blankets woven by our EU production partner.
We believe the finest blankets begin with exceptional weaving. Our responsibility is to preserve the integrity of the original work—its proportions, rhythm, texture and story—while creating a blanket that can be lived with every day.
The Weavers
For more than four decades, Debra Sparrow (Qwasen) has dedicated herself to Salish weaving. Born and raised on the Musqueam Indian Reserve, she began learning Salish weaving in the 1980s, at a time when the techniques had largely been lost within her community. Alongside a group of Musqueam women, she helped recover and rebuild that knowledge through research, museum collections, family blankets and countless hours at the loom.
Debra often credits her grandfather, Ed Sparrow, with giving her "300 years and beyond of stories." Those stories grounded her in her heritage, connected her to the voices of her ancestors, and continue to shape her weaving today. Through every woven work, she carries forward the knowledge, skills and visual language of Salish weaving, ensuring they remain part of a living tradition rather than a chapter of history. This perspective is reflected in her own account of her practice and the role her grandfather played in passing down generations of Musqueam history.
Today, Debra's woven works can be found in museums, public collections and significant public spaces throughout Canada, including the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, the Vancouver Art Gallery and Vancouver International Airport. Yet recognition has never been the destination. For Debra, weaving is simply part of who she is.
Learning directly from her mother, Aleen Sparrow represents the next generation of Musqueam weavers. Her work demonstrates how traditional practices can remain living and evolving. While her foundation comes from the teachings of her mother and the generations before her, Aleen brings her own ideas and experiences into each woven piece. In doing so, she contributes to the continued growth of Musqueam weaving while respecting the traditions that have guided her.
The relationship between Aleen and her mother speaks to the importance of intergenerational learning. Knowledge is not simply passed down and repeated; it is carried forward, practiced, interpreted, and given new life by each generation. Together, their work reflects continuity, a living connection between past, present and future, with each new woven work becoming part of an ongoing story of Musqueam culture and identity.
