Cultural collections
CRAFTING MODERN STAR BLANKETS WITH TRADITIONAL ARTISTRY
Find a meaningful gift to celebrate an occasion or support the journey of someone special to you. Available in King, Queen, Twin and Baby sizes with regular or premium fabric options. Shop the collection or discover how to design your own!
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handmade smudge kits
Durable and compact, these smudge kits have everything you need to smudge at home or on the road. Choose from a wide variety of unique fabric options.
Alma Masuskapeo
An Ahtahkakoop Artisan
Alma Masuskapeo is a Canadian First Nations Star Blanket artisan. She is from the Cree Tribe of Ahtahakoop First Nation in Northern Saskatchewan.
Alma had an established career in the corporate world when she began to sew Star Blankets. During this time, she had a desire to reconnect with her roots and began a journey of self-healing. Sewing Star Blankets became therapeutic to Alma, that is when her client base began to grow. Alma now manages her own company; Traditional Starblankets and has been skillfully creating custom Star Blankets for indigenous and non-indigenous communities for over 20 years. She has a reputation for her passion and openly shares her talent, story, and heart to many.
ONCE UPON A STAR BLANKET
The History of a Sacred Tradition
In Cree, Starblanket means “Ahtahakoop.” The guiding star represents a new beginning, the journey from darkness to the light, from ignorance to the truth.
The artistry of a Starblanket has been passed down to indigenous women generationally for hundreds of years. The craft of sewing with fabric came from missionaries in the mid-1800's; this was when modern-day Star Blankets replaced traditional Buffalo Robes. These blankets were presented to loved ones, to honour young braves and praise warriors returning from a successful hunt. Quite often a Star Blanket was used on vision quests, during a smudge, or in a sweat lodge.
The star has eight points symbolizing kindness, humility, honesty, respect, healing, forgiveness, wisdom, and love. The points face outward which represents the relationship with family, friends, and the community.
During a ceremony, the recipient will have a Star Blanket wrapped around their shoulders as a symbol of honour and the highest respect. The tradition lives on as milestone events such as births, deaths, weddings, graduations, and special occasions are celebrated. Today, many believe a Star Blanket will help you attain your dreams and bring good fortune.
Gifts made to order
Want to design your own creation? Contact our team to learn more about customizing your own Star Blanket, Smudge Kit or Ribbon Skirt!