From Vision to Realization...
We experienced some unique happenings with the Spiritual realm while exploring the two most important battle sites in Montana: The Big Hole and the Bear Paw Mountains, where the great humanitarian Chief Joseph surrendered and gave his famous speech. We discussed these encounters with Nez Perce Elders. They summed it up with this: “These were our ancestors guiding you through animals in an effort for this blanket to be authentic. A historic revelation that will be recorded for all time with every weaving of the blanket at the Pendleton Woolen Mills in Pendleton Oregon.” We felt the need to share these experiences with customers who purchase the blanket. Thus, the 4 inserts below, depicting monumental and significant events, will be included with each numbered blanket.
Please take a moment to swipe through the inserts below for a more in-depth explanation of this spiritual experience.
Please take a moment to swipe through the inserts below for a more in-depth explanation of this spiritual experience.
Meet the Designer...
Terry Ball is holding what is believed to be one of the first blankets of 1000 purchased in 1897 by the Nez Perce tribe from the Pendleton Woolen Mills. The border pattern of the blanket is duplicated in our "Hear Me My Chiefs" custom blanket.
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Terry attended Washington State University on a basketball scholarship, and majored in Anthropology. On the court, he tells of playing against a fierce competitor at the U of Oregon, and becoming close friends with the man after college. That man worked for Pendleton and referred Terry to apply as well, saying they were a great company and they were hiring college graduates. Terry interviewed with them and came on board with Pendleton in 1965. He remained with the company and retired after 40 years.
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After two years of research in the field, Terry headed from Montana to Portland, Oregon's Pendleton Corporate Offices. He had with him the Nez Perce Blanket pattern and handouts. He met with the fabric design team and expressed his feelings in his research after meditating at Old Chief Joseph’s grave site at the edge of Wallowa Lake, and standing at the rifle pits at the Bear Paw where Chief Looking Glass was killed. He wanted to connect with the fabric design team spiritually, and project into the minds of the fabric design team the significance of his experiences, to ensure that the profoundness of the journey flowed into the creation of the blanket. This process of working the thoughts into a design on paper is called “Submit A.” Changes are made creating Submit B. After several back-and-forth's, we had reached our final submit!
Pictured: Believed to be one of the first blankets purchased by the Nez Perce from Pendleton in 1897; Surrounding the Final Submit, are the 12 Pendleton yarn color swatches that will eventually make up the warp and the weft of the blanket.
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The Handouts:
Wallowa Mountains (credit: OregonLive.com); Skeleton Teepees (Credit: Great Falls Tribune/Amie Thompson); Bear Paw Mountains (Credit: Elevation of Big Sandy on Maplogs.com); Looking Glass (Allalimya Takanin), NezPerce chief, on horseback in front of a teepee, 1877;
Credit: National Archives at College Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Comparing the submits, you can see how the blanket evolved from the first graphic, refining it through seven steps working with the fabric design team to reach the green light for the birth of the blanket on the looms in Pendleton, Oregon.
Submit B
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Submit F; Our final design!
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On to the Mill...
Did you know? Pendleton blankets are limited to only twelve warp (up and down) colors, plus two weft (side to side) colors. It's hard to believe that our "Hear Me My Chiefs" blanket accomplishes such a vast range of hues with so few colors, but we hear folks comment all the time about the depth of color in our blanket.
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A vintage Photo of the Pendleton Woolen Mills in Pendleton, Oregon, where all of the Jacquard trade blankets are woven.
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Preparing the blanket to be scrutinized with a backlight and magnifying glass for any minute flaws which would lead to rejection.
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“Hear Me My Chiefs” waiting for inspection.
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Sewing in the felt binding around the blanket.
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Measuring and sewing in the Suede “Hear Me My Chiefs” patch.
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The blankets as they arrive from the Pendleton Mill in Pendleton, Oregon.
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Thoughts from the Elders...
Nez Perce Elder Leroy Seth, pictured in full regalia, is wearing a shirt that belonged to his great grandfather, Peo Peo Tholekt. Accompanying him are from left to right: Harlem High School student Grace Brockie (Aaniii/Nakoda), Harlem High School teacher, Matthew J. Hodgson, "Hear Me My Chiefs" designer Terry Ball, Harlem High School students Nellie King (Nakoda), and Amilia Blackcrow (Nakoda). This photo was taken at the Chinook Library during the "Hear Me My Chiefs" presentation sponsored by the Blaine county Museum.
Blaine County Museum Director Samantha French pictured with Leroy Seth and Terry Ball.
Terry Ball explaining to the audience the 4 blankets (One "Hear me My Chiefs," one 1920’s "Oregon City," and Pendleton generously contributed two "Chief Joseph" blankets) that were raffled off at the Commemoration in Chinook. We raised $1,500 and sent the funds to the Nez Perce Executive Council to distribute to the Nez Perce Boys and Girls Club.
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Leroy Seth, an esteemed Nez Perce Elder, is pictured at the Big Hole National Battlefield Site next to his Great Grandfather, Peo Peo Tholekt, who escaped the Bear Paw prior to surrender to Canada.
Each blanket comes with a suede patch is numbered, and signifies that every blanket comes with the blessing of the Elders.
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Contact us for more info or to order your own limited edition, numbered "Hear Me My Chiefs" before they're gone! This is our third run ordered from Pendleton and the demand has not waned!
