teepees

Tipi, also spelled teepee or tepee, is a conical tent traditionally used by Indigenous peoples of the North American Plains. The term tipi derives from the Lakota thípi, meaning “dwelling.” Tipis were the common portable homes of many Plains groups, including the Lakota, Blackfoot, Cheyenne, and Comanche, designed to be easily assembled and transported as camps moved with bison herds.

Construction and design: A tipi consists of a conical frame of long wooden poles arranged in a cone and tied at the top. A covering, historically made from buffalo hide and later from canvas, is stretched over the poles and secured to the ground. The base is typically open to allow ventilation and to shed rain and snow. An entrance flap provides access, and the exterior can be painted or decorated with symbolic designs.

Ventilation and interior: A smoke hole at the apex allows smoke from a central fire to escape, while adjustable flaps or poles regulate airflow. Inside, a central hearth or fire pit sits on the ground, with space around for cooking and warmth. Sleeping platforms or mats line the sides, and storage areas or racks hold tools and clothing. The interior layout is flexible and adapted to family size and season.

Use and culture: Tipis were well-suited to a nomadic, hunting-focused lifestyle, enabling rapid assembly, disassembly, and transport of the entire home. Sizes varied with family needs, and insulation and weather protection were adapted to plains climates. In the 19th and 20th centuries, some tipis were covered with canvas and used in reservation settings or for educational displays. Today tipis remain a symbol of Plains culture and are used in cultural events and historical interpretations.