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Tipi (tea + pee)

The natives lived what is called a “nomadic” lifestyle. This means they didn’t stay in one place very long. Because of this, the natives needed houses that were easy to set up, tear down, and travel with. They invented a type of house called a Tipi (tea + pee). A normal tipi used about eighteen long wooden poles, and either buffalo or caribou hide. The poles were set up like a cone,and the hide was stretched around and over it. Two openings near the top provided fresh air and another flap near the ground was used as an entrance. The fireplace was in the middle of the tipi.

The base of the tipis was anchored (like a boat) to the ground by large rocks to keep them stable during bad weather. The rocks would be placed upon the outside of the hide covering, at its base. When the tribe moved they took the tipis and left the rocks because they could easily find them at the next site.As a result of this practice the prairies are scattered with these stone circles known today as “tipi rings”.

Astokumi or Crow Collar and Wife

Astokumi or Crow Collar and Wife