What does the Tipi Mean to You?

In times past, the shape and style of Tipis (/ˈtiːpiː/ TEE-pee) on the landscape would inform travellers who was camped there: the Haudenosaunee 'long house', the Sioux, the Siksika (Blackfoot), Plains, and Woodland Cree--all had distinct blueprints, and still do.

Our ancestors could look out and see who was in the neighbourhood 'simply by looking' reminds Seapieces Marsland, an indigegogy holder and now Indigenous Counsellor for the University of Saskatchewan, living in La Ronge.

Marsland's Tipi Teachings come from her Elders before her: Johny Charles (of Sturgeon Lake First Nation, SK), and Elder Mary Lee is (Pelican Lake, SK) and reinforce the femininity of the historical homestead. Marsland held ceremony to raise the 15-pole 'Grandfather Lodge' supplied by Men of the North on Sunday, November 22nd, 2020 following a sobriety walk through the northern community's Main Street.

The canvas was well-aged from past fires. It's the same Tipi that Tristen Durocher fasted in for 44 days in Regina's Wascana Park this past summer--in protest of the Suicide Crisis in Saskatchewan-- and it was raised by Women singing songs of empowerment on property where two residential schools once stood. 'We are used to seeing Indigenous men set up Tipis' admits Marsland '--this was reversed so in that aspect it was very special'.

Eleanor Charles-Heglend, a local medicines gatherer and educator who assisted in raising the tipi added that '...we were told that this is an activity that us women used to do', noting that the reversal is a return to prior tradition.

For Shaylynn McAuley there are roles, but not rules---just as there are many meanings for the Tipi's poles. But 'there is room for everyone' inside the Tipi, says McAuley, so long as they enter with Humility.

The Tipi stood from Sunday November 22nd to Thursday November 26, 2020 with Men of the North founder Christopher Merasty saying there would be further programming that would see it rise again -- including near Christmas.