Blankets play a large role in Snuneymuxw culture today. They are valued as gifts and are given to people on special occasions and to guests of the community who have contributed something important. Elder Ellen White published her book Legends and Teachings of Xeel's, The Creator in 2006, and the editing and publishing team were honoured with blankets at the book launch. These blankets were from Elder Ellen White's own collection, and had come from as far away as Asia.

Trade blankets were brought by Russian and European trade expeditions who exchanged wool blankets for sea otter pelts during the 1700s and 1800s. The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) realized the importance of blankets to the Coast Salish and brought large numbers to trade in the Pacific Northwest. In 1851, an HBC trade blanket was worth 60 fresh salmon. The time-consuming and labour intensive tradition of blanket weaving, which involved working with the wool at the loom as well as collecting and spinning animal hair, down and plant fibres, was quickly replaced by the access to European textiles.

The Snuneymuxw no longer weave their thick blankets, but the importance of the blanket as a gift and a symbol remains. Department stores in the Nanaimo area stock large quantities of blankets of all types. Before a potlatch, they often sell out of the highest quality examples. Blankets are given and worn in the ceremonies and "work" that take place in the Big House. Some shoppers go to the United States to buy blankets from Coast Salish weavers in Oregon and Washington states. Blankets are commissioned from Musqueam weavers near Vancouver.