The blankets are back!

Home Flight blankets began as a collaboration between the Office of the President and the UO Alumni Association to invigorate the Native Duck Nation alumni community. Native-designed, UO student-designed, and produced by Eighth Generation, all proceeds benefit Native students and alumni through the Many Nations Longhouse and the Native Duck Nation Alumni Network in collaboration with The Duck Store.

Launched in February 2022, the first batch of blankets sold out in just three weeks. This year, 300 blankets are available for purchase and members of the UOAA and Native Duck Nation will once again have early access to buy a blanket at a 10% discount. This pre-sale discount begins on October 17 and ends October 31.

“We were thrilled with the interest in the blankets last year, and the net proceeds from that sale are still helping to fund Native student and alumni programs today,” said UOAA Executive Director Raphe Beck. “We also heard from many people asking when we would have more blankets for sale, and I’m glad we can now meet that demand.”

Jason Younker, chief of the Coquille Indian Tribe and assistant vice president and adviser to the president for sovereignty and government-to-government relations, enlisted his brother, Shirod Younker (Coquille/Miluk Coos/Umpqua), and niece, Kale’a Calica-Younker (Coquille/Coos/Warm Springs/Yakama), to design the blanket. Inspired by traditional basket designs and seasonal changes, the double-sided print of the blanket highlights the return patterns of ducks working together to navigate a long journey. The blankets remind us of the beauty found in nature. Together with the UO’s traditional green and yellow, that beauty is woven through every thread, reflecting positivity, hope, and Native stories.

“We were absolutely moved by the numerous requests to make the Home Flight blanket available once again,” Younker said. “Home Flight makes a wonderful gift, and many were purchased for graduates. We are extremely grateful for every purchase.”

The Home Flight blanket is an example of how the UO is aligning the educational priorities of Oregon tribes with the university’s initiatives. Previous work includes the creation of the Northwest Indian Language Institute and the nine tribal flags that fly in the EMU amphitheater on the Eugene campus.

Support UO alumni and students by purchasing a Home Flight blanket this fall before supply runs out. They’re an Oregon heirloom sure to be beloved by generations to come. Sales to the public will begin November 1 at UODuckStore.com and at Duck Store locations.