Tipi Teachings

What are the tipi teachings?

The floor of the tipi represents the earth on which we live, the walls represent the sky, and the poles represent the trails that extend from the earth to the spirit world.

The Poles

Starting with three poles and binding them together to make a tripod.

These three poles signify obedience, respect, and humility.

They reinforce one another, like a family.

The teaching is that you need three to make a family, two parents and a child, to make that balance.

The Flaps

Represent our grandfather, arms reaching up.

The smoke represents our prayers being carried to Creator/God.

The designs at the top of the tipi represents the sky spirits.

The lines represent rainbows.

What is the purpose of a tipi?

Tipis provide shelter, warmth, and family and community connectedness.

They are still used today for ceremonies and other purposes.

What does a tipi symbolize?

The bottom of the tipi is the skirt, which is Grandmother/Mother Earth. All the female nurturers come from the Mother Earth so e When a woman would put up a Tipi there is a ceremony, song, and food that will go with it because this is the shelter of those that you love.

Stands tall and open to show that invitation that everyone is welcome. The Tipi stands tall like a woman’s dress and everyone inside the circle and safety.

What can a tipi teach us?

When you work in a structure of squares, having a circle can give people a new perspective and connection.

A tipi can shift you emotionally. It is something round, soft, and made of canvas.

A place of solace, a place to meditate or pray. Provides shelter among other things

The word tawaw in Cree means, “Come in, you're welcome; there's room."

Who invented the tipi?

The Lakota (Sioux) invented the tipi, and that all tipis were made of buffalo hides. When the White Man arrived, the Sioux invention had spread throughout the continent. (Modern tipis use canvas covering).

How often can a tipi be used?

It’s called a four-season lodge because can used anytime.

How many buffalo hides were used to make a tipi?

12 to 20 buffalo hides, which had to be sewn together.

Roughly how much canvas to make a tipi is used?

Requires sixty-eight square yards of canvas.

Does rain come inside a tipi?

The rain comes down the hole. Generally, the water will travel down the poles and out behind the liner. It drips into the center of the lodge.

How did tipis stay warm?

In the center of the teepee a fire was build.

Winter months grass was used to help keep the tipi warm.

The Plains Indians also used buffalo hides for their beds and blankets to keep their homes warm

How many people can sleep in a Tipi?

Up to 30 to 40 people depending on the size.

What inside the tipi?

Buffalo hide mats beds, blankets their belongs. A small fire in the middle used for cooking and to provide warmth.

What are the lessons learned from the tipi?

The tipi teaches us how to care for ourselves and reminds us of the good values that make up an honorable person. It teaches community and how to care for others and how we bring ourselves together to live in harmony with all things.