Barbara Basil, a member of the Lower Nicola Indian Band and an employee of the LNIB school, has been adding a personal touch to the graduation gifts presented to the grade seven students by sewing blanket bags for each of them.
After completing the seventh grade, LNIB students must leave the school and begin attending Merritt Secondary School. To commemorate this important moment in their education, LNIB holds a graduation ceremony for the students, during which they are presented with a blanket.
“We used to just put them in gift bags, store bought ones, but because of COVID last year we went looking and we couldn’t find any that said graduation,” said Basil.
“So, I decided to sew the bags for them.”
Last year, Basil made twelve bags. This year there were 17 students who received a fabric bag sewn just for them.
“They (the students) just love them,” Basil said.
“I believe the sewn bags give the blanket gifts a more personal touch.”
Sewing is a hobby for Basil, something she has been doing for many years. She enjoys sewing the blanket bags and hopes that the students will cherish their gift all their lives.
When selecting the fabric, Basil tries to choose patterns that reflect the indigenous heritage and influence of the school, which is located on LNIB reserve lands and has many indigenous students.
Gifting someone a blanket is a way of honouring someone and showing them respect. Usually, the blankets are wrapped around the students’ shoulders, but due to COVID they are left sealed in their original packaging.
“It’s an honour, when we’re honouring somebody, we give them a blanket,” Basil explained.
