It was important the Blackfeet had a shelter that could easily be taken down or put together because they moved around so much. They used a tipi which was mainly used for sleeping and to provide shelter from storms. The tipis would normally be set up along a river and facing east if possible. This allowed for morning prayers to travel towards the rising sun, helping it to come above the horizon for another day (The Blackfeet Gallery Committee, 2001, p. 23).
Image 1
The tipi was created in a way that would make it easy to pick up and move to the next location. The sides were made of large pieces of buffalo hide and the poles would be removed and attached to their horses. They constructed a travois, which is a sled-like carrier made of two tipi poles tied to the shoulders of a horse or dog (King, 2010, p. 45). The family could be ready to move in just an hour which is why the tipi was a popular choice of dwelling.
Horse Travois: Image 2
It is important to note that the horse changed both the tipi as well as the way it was moved. Prior to horses, the only animal the Blackfeet had tamed was the dog, which resulted in a much smaller tipi as well as travois (King, 2010, p. 16).
Image 3
During the winter months, the Blackfeet would settle into the mountain valleys to be sheltered from the weather. Instead of using their normal tipi, the tribe would build a more substantial lodge of poles that would be covered in woven mats (King, 2010, p. 16).
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