TeePee's

The tepee was the home of the Plains Indians.

Native American homes were designed so that they could be moved easily.

The most common home was called a wigwam (Teepee's). It was a covered wooden frame shaped like a cone pointed together and fastened at the top.

These coverings were made from animal skins which fastened to the ground. These Indians would often paint decorations on the outside of the teepee and would have a fireplace inside the tepee to cook and keep warm.

The coverings were carried from location to location. The completed teepee's would be about 15 feet in diameter usually housing ten to twelve people.

When a new wigwam was needed, women often worked together to build it. This was an important task and one that took skill and knowledge. Some women looked for suitable poles to build the frame.

An open teepee flap was an invitation to enter. If the flap was closed.


Ideas and reference images.