TEEPEE

The Teepee

Values help guide behavior through the process of growing up, changing and handling responsibilities. Personal values are what determine a person’s decisions and actions. Social values are set by cultural beliefs as to what is important for a community. There are fifteen traditional Cree cultural values that serve as a guide for happy and healthy living. Each value is honored in the construction of a teepee, which requires 15 poles — with each pole symbolizing one value:


1. Obedience – accepting guidance and wisdom from others


2. Respect – for self and others


3. Humility –knowing that we are not above or below others in the circle of life


4. Happiness – showing enthusiasm to encourage others


5. Love – love of self and love of others, not things


6. Faith – belief in the spirit world


7. Kinship – relationships and bonds with parents, siblings, extended relatives, knowing one’s home community


8.Cleanliness – spiritual cleanliness


9. Thankfulness – gratitude for life and for family


10. Sharing – sharing knowledge, stories, traditions, for future generations


11. Strength – spiritual strength to do things that are difficult


12. Good Child Rearing – guidance and protection of the sacred gift of children


13. Hope – hope that the women who are the life givers and the nurturers will carry on the teachings to bring healthy spirited people into the world


14.Ultimate Protection – protection of the minds, spirit, emotions and health of the youth


15.Control flaps from winds – balance in life’s journey

 

These are the sacred values that sustain the Cree spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally. The first three are considered the foundation of the teepee because a teepee will not stand upright with only two poles, a minimum of three are needed - just as you need a child and two parents to make a family.



A ceremony is followed when erecting a teepee with tobacco given to Mother Earth by a woman in thanks for the use of all the materials to make the teepee, and the doorway facing east. The teepee is symbolic of the sacredness of womanhood as it stands with dignity; it provides warmth, comfort and shelter, and love and care to the family. With the control flaps up, the teepee resembles an old woman standing with her arms extended out in thanks. Women are named after the fire that is built in the centre of the teepee.


The control flaps are used to control the release of smoke and insects from the fire. When they are positioned properly, all smoke and insects flow out through the opening at the top of the teepee. So these flaps represent balance in life’s journey.

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