Native housing methods were admirably suited to the western Canadian climate and their own unique social structures. Because of their nomadic lifestyle, the Blackfoot and Cree peoples constructed lodgings that could be easily transported, and used either buffalo or caribou hide as housing materials. In the most typical instance, up to eighteen long poles would be used to form a conical framework over which the hide would be stretched. Two openings near the top provided ventilation and another flap near the ground served as entranceway. The fireplace was situated in the center of the tipi.
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