History of the Tipi

A Brief History of the Tipi

The Native people first lived in conical skin tents. When they traveled or moved their camps they would use the largest dogs to haul their tents. The long poles were fastened to the dogs' saddles and dragged. The construction was called a travois; it was light and easy to transport. During the first part of the 17th century horses brought from Mexico were introduced to the Native people by the Spanish explorers. The introduction of the horse made hauling the tipi and camp a much easier task.

Picture of a Tipi

The Indians hunted the buffalo, and the hides were used to make the tipi. The tendons of the buffalo served as sewing kits for the yarn. The bones and horns were used for making tools, scrapers and needles. The brains, which contained tannic acid, were kept for tanning the dried hides.

The hide was usually kept white to keep the inside of the tipi light and comfortable, then fresh conifer branches were burned inside the tipi for 24 hours, the resin in the smoke making the tipi waterproof. The Indian Tipi was in perfect harmony with nature.

The tipi forms a tilted cone. The short length of the cone is tilted at the back to provide protection against the wind and to allow more head room at the back of the tipi. The opening of the tipi faced east, as the wind commonly blew from the west of the plains. The fireplace was built nearer to the door to create room in the rear of the tipi.

The Tipi

The 15 Tipi Poles

English	Cree
Obedience	Nanahihtamowin
Respect	Kisteyitamowin
Humility	Tapahteyimowin
Happiness	Miyotamowin Wiyotikosewin
Love	Sakehitowin
Faith	Tapokehtamowin
Kinship	Wahkohtowin Ototemihtawin
Cleanliness	Kanachihowin
Thankfulness	Nanaskomowin
Sharing	Misihte Pahkwenamoto-Wiehihtowin
Strength	Maskawisewin Sohkatisewin
Good child rearing	Meyo Ohpikihawasowin
Hope	Pakoseyimowin
Ultimate protection	Kanawayimkosewin
Control flaps from winds	Maminohyitamowin