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Why You Should Support Eighth Generation
Last week, an infographic titled "Why Native People Should Stop Buying Pendleton" went viral on Facebook. As the first Native-owned company to produce wool blankets, we were asked to comment on the content of this post - which was shared at least 10,000 times - by dozens of people and even media. At Eighth Generation, it isn't our style to focus on the negative, so we declined to comment on the content. However, we thought this would be a great time to highlight the positive things we're doing that distinguish us from the competition.
Beyond our many collaborations with non-profits around the country (i.e. Evergreen Longhouse, Sealaska, Tanka Fund, Seventh Generation Fund), here are some key facts to consider when buying products featuring cultural art.
Every year, we try to do something special to give back to the communities in which we live and work. This is also a way to perpetuate the community spirit that has been driving our company from the start!
In 2017, we brought our friends together to beautify a 75 bed homeless shelter in Seattle that amounted to an $8,000 contribution from our small but rapidly growing business.
In winter of 2016, we set our staff and interns free on the streets of Seattle with a stack of blankets. This is what happened!
During the Standing Rock activism - just as the first frosts fell - we sent a car load of blankets to comfort the water protectors. Later, we would work with the Native staff at Google and First Peoples Fund to send another $12,000 in blankets.
Want to help get the word out about supporting Inspired Natives, not "Native-inspired"? Share this blog or Facebook post with your networks!
Blue Anderson
Mar 25, 2019
Please keep us in mind if you wish to wholesale in museum stores. We carried 8th Gen a few years back, and would love to support your Inspired Artists again – and now you have beautiful socks to offer! We are very happy for the success of 8th Gen, and excited to see your message grow. Let us know when we can share your art and stories with our visitors. Best, Blue Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria, Oregon
Roisin McGlynn
Mar 25, 2019
After seeing “Double Exposure” at SAM yesterday I was heartbroken all over again to see such an imbalance in representation of the voice of First Nations people and artists. I understand the exhibit was to dissect and re-assess the work of Edward Curtis against the work and representation of First Nations artists today and of the people and culture but I think SAM failed miserably by not having enough balance in the volume of work – it was still 75% Curtis and therefore still a brutal display of white post coloninal dominance in storytelling. It was NOT truth telling. There was no education or resources offered to viewers to find out more, to understand what’s next and where do we go from here. I am wondering if SAM’s retail offerings for the exhibit included items from your beautiful, authentic and important collection of native created work. I am also wondering if 8th Generation was even approached to do a pop-up in their retail space…otherwise it’s just a continuation of the same old cultural appropriation story. Thank you.
Omar
Sep 04, 2018
Thank you for what your doing my hats off! We in the inter tribal community of San Diego have been notified of your company and will do our due diligence to support how we can. We purchase gifts for our ceremonies and my familia will support you when we can. Just wnated to tell you the art and blankets are amazing! Tlazocamati (thank you) Onward Always, Adelante Siempre!
Omar Mercado
San Diego, CA
Benny
Aug 28, 2018
It was the right thing to do. Wonderful, outstanding how could you not love these people. If only we would live by this everyday it was the right thing to do.