Tipi

The tipi is an iconic symbol of Native North American culture, recognized throughout the world. Tipi: Heritage of the Great Plains reveals the history and significance of this remarkable architectural form from the 1830s to the present. Ideally suited to a nomadic lifestyle on the Plains, the tipi was the heart of Plains social, religious, and creative traditions. Trade and innovation brought new materials and ways of living to Plains people. As the nomadic way of life gave way to more permanent settlements, the tipi evolved in form but remained central to Plains culture and identity.

The book examines the history and continuing tradition of the tipi by focusing on tribes from three geographical regions: the Blackfeet, Crow, Shoshone, and Northern Cheyenne in the north; the Arapaho and many Sioux groups, including Dakota, Yankton, Yanktonai, Lakota, Hunkpapa, and Oglala, in the central plains; and the Pawnee, Osage, Kiowa, Southern Cheyenne, Comanche, and Plains Apache in the south. Included are first-person narratives by Native people - elders, artists, military veterans, and an architect - that tell of the lasting cultural significance of the tipi within an ongoing process of cultural and artistic interpretation.

The volume is richly illustrated with historic and contemporary photographs and artwork. Art made by women, who were the tipi makers and owners, include furnishings, clothing, and accessories. Associated with tipi-centered family life, these objects feature intricate beadwork, quill embroidery, and painting. Other artwork relates to the male warrior tradition: tipi liners, traditionally painted by men with their war exploits, as well as other objects associated with warfare and warrior societies. Children’s life in the tipi is illustrated by cradles, garments, toys, and games. Works by contemporary Native artists represent modern interpretations of traditional forms.

Dispelling stereotypes of the tipi as a picturesque vestige of the past, Tipi: Heritage of the Great Plains demonstrates how the tipi remains a part of a living culture deeply rooted in tradition.