Students at Tribal colleges and universities invited to design blankets for scholarship dollars

The American Indian College Fund and Pendleton Woolen Mills are teaming up again to offer students at Tribal Colleges and Universities an opportunity express their culture and identity through original designs for our next tribal college student blanket. Blanket sales will support College Fund scholarships.

For more than 20 years, Pendleton Woolen Mills has given thousands of dollars to would-be Indigenous designers. Textile design experience is not necessary to enter, and student winners will receive the following prizes: $2,000 cash, a $5,000 scholarship for the grand prize winner, who will also receive six reproductions of their design; $500 cash and a $2,500 scholarship for the second-place winner; and $250 cash and a $1,500 scholarship for the third-place winner.

Last year’s winner, Infinite Prayer (pictured above), was designed by Jenabah Yzzie (Diné) and chosen from more than 40 submissions. The blanket, part of Pendleton Woolen Mills’ long-running American College Fund collection, is available for purchase.

The 2024 winning Tribal College Blanket Design, Infinite Prayer, designed by Jenabah Yazzie (Din), is now available for purchase. Chosen from over 40 submissions, the blanket is the latest addition to Pendleton Woolen Mills’ American Indian College Fund collection. The heritage brand has created wool blankets in partnership with the College Fund for more than 20 years.

For more information, including the application, click here.