Today we had our first visit with this fall's TIA (The Integrated Arts) artist, Tipi Joe. We met with him in the Library and we learned a lot about tipis, and the traditional aboriginal way of life. During this time, he set up a 9 foot tipi for us to see. He told us the materials used for each part, the reason why these materials were chosen, and the meaning behind the set up. It was really quite fascinating. He also explained how tipis are quite a bit larger and designed to be set up by one person. He then told us how tipis are designed to withstand all the weather found in Manitoba-snow, rain, heat, and even tornados!
When he was finished we all had a chance to enter the tipi. We learned that it's considered rude to stand or walk around in a tipi unless you are entering and exiting. We also learned that you enter or leave in a circle, you don't walk through the middle. There is actually a safety reason behind this practice, as tipis would contain a fire in the middle. Sitting down allowed people not to breathe in smoke that would be pulled up to the top of the tipi and out through the smoke hole, and walking in a circle would ensure that no one would accidentally walk through the fire.
Tipi Joe is returning to work with us twice next week in our classroom. During these visits we will all get a chance to design and build our own tipis!
Here are some pictures from the visit. If you click on them, they will enlarge.
Listening to Tipi Joe
Tipi Joe setting up the tipi
The finished tipi
Looking at the turtle shell purse Tipi Joe passed around
Entering and spending time inside the tipi
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