These iconic striped blankets were once a form of currency in the North American fur trade.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For centuries, the Hudson's Bay point blanket has been a symbol of Canadian identity. Originally manufactured in England as a trade good for beaver pelts, the blankets evolved from essential survival gear into a national icon, eventually sparking complex conversations about colonial history, cultural assimilation, and modern reconciliation efforts.

The distinctive point system, characterized by short lines woven into the blanket's edge, was invented by French weavers in the mid-1700s. The term originates from the French word empointer, which refers to the practice of adding threaded stitches to fabric. These marks allowed traders to instantly identify the blanket's size, even when folded. Contrary to popular belief, these points never indicated the price in beaver pelts or the weight of the item; rather, they served as a standardized measure of the blanket's total surface area.

During the fur trade that began in the 1670s, these wool blankets became a vital commodity. Because they were waterproof and warm, they were highly sought after by both Indigenous peoples and European voyageurs, who often repurposed them into hooded coats known as capotes. By the early 1700s, they functioned as a soft currency in many regions. While the multi-striped pattern is now synonymous with Canadian cottage culture, the specific combination of green, red, yellow, and indigo was not standardized until the late 1800s, drawing inspiration from fashionable textile dyes of the Queen Anne era.

The legacy of these blankets is deeply intertwined with Canada's colonial past, including Indigenous oral histories that link the distribution of such goods to the spread of diseases like smallpox. To address this history, the Oshki Wupoowane, or The Blanket Fund, was established in 2022. This Indigenous-led charity receives 100% of net proceeds from point blanket sales to support cultural and educational initiatives. Following the 2025 acquisition of Hudson's Bay intellectual property by Canadian Tire for $30 million, the company pledged to maintain this support, ensuring a minimum annual contribution of $1 million to the fund regardless of sales performance.

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