One of the enduring icons of American Indians is the tipi, and more specifically, the hide-covered tipi that evolved among the Plains Indians after their acquisition of the horse. The Indians of the Columbia Plateau area of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana acquired the horse in the eighteenth century and with the horse began to hunt buffalo on the plains. As a part of their seasonal nomadism to hunt the buffalo, the Plateau Indian nations, such as the Nez Perce, began using the Plains-style hide-covered tipi.
At a special presentation at Fort Vancouver, Washington, Nez Perce elder and artist Kevin Peters guided visitors in the erection of a special painted tipi.
Kevin Peters is shown above.
The foundation of the tipi is the four-pole structure shown above.
Starting with the four-pole frame, additional poles are placed around the frame. These poles are not placed at random, but in a specific sequence.
The first pole is placed on the frame from the north.
The second pole is placed on the frame from the south.
Getting ready for the cover.
Inserting the pegs to hold the cover together.
Shown above is a mat-covered lodge.
Indians 101
Twice each week, the Indians 101 series explores different aspects of American Indian cultures, histories, arts, biographies, and current concerns.
Indians 101: The Plateau Indian Longhouse (museum tour)
Indians 101: Nez Perce Political Organization
Indians 101: The Northwest Coast plank longhouse (museum diary)
Indians 101: The Tulalip Longhouse (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Northwest Coast House Panels (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: The Luiseno Village
Indians 101: Plateau Indians as Cowboys (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Horse-Mounted Buffalo Hunting on the Northern Plains