Native American trade blankets played a pivotal role in Native American culture of the southwest tribes. Indians have a rich tradition of weaving and for generations had furnished blankets for their families to wear as wraps or robes. Even though Native weavings such as Navajo blankets represented a rich heritage, the Navajo women began to weave their traditional blankets for outsiders. The new wave of comfort was the commercial trade blanket that they chose for themselves and their families.