A “tipi teachings” event was held at the Allen Sapp Gallery in North Battleford Sunday. A group of students from Thunderchild First Nation, under the guidance of Diane Pooyak, learned about the traditions, ceremonies, construction and true meaning of the tipi.
The tipi, more than providing a home, holds special meaning in its construction and placement. Pooyak took the students through the construction of a small tipi inside the gallery, explaining the history and meaning of how the tipi came to be.
The tipi evolved from a dome shaped structure, still used today as the sweat lodge, keeping it warm by bringing in rocks heated in a fire outdoors. A fire could not be lit inside the dome, so the tipi shape evolved with an opening at the top to allow a centre fire for cooking and warmth.
The centre fire is sacred and women came to be named after that fire for its power, and a tipi cover is like a woman’s shawl with room always for more children and great grandchildren to come into its circle.
Pooyak explained the tipi is the spirit and body of woman, the foundation of family and community, and as such, requires ceremony in its making. The ceremony represents the value of women’s teachings.
Scroll through the photos for more tipi teachings, presented by Pooyak based on the four directions teachings of Elder Mary Lee.
All photos by Averil Hall
* Please note these photos carry the photographer's copyright and may not be reproduced from this gallery. For print requests, visit https://www.mphocus.com/
