The Importance of the Teepee
The teepee is used almost every day. It is the place where the Blue Mountain Clan goes to pray before every dance.
The Use of the Teepee During the Coming of Age Ceremony
The maiden lives in a teepee during her coming of age ceremony for 12 days. The maiden cuts down the first four trees. Each of the four poles have a name; Lightning Pole, Pollen Pole, Water Pole, and Direction Pole. Each of the remaining eighteen poles represent a family member of the girl, tying the people together. In this teepee is where the maiden will sleep and practice her dances prayers.
During the coming of age ceremony, the maiden also has a teepee for the use of storing and prepping food. Another teepee is put up for the maiden's family as well or possibly more depending on the family.
How the Teepee is Constructed
The poles of the teepee are made from twenty-two fur trees that are fourteen axes in length. Once the trees are cut, they are peeled from their bark and branches. Three of the freshly smoothen poles are stood up by a 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick fifty foot rope to form a tripod. The remaining nineteen poles are stood up against the tripod, to create a cone shape, creating the structure of the teepee. Next, the teepee cover is placed over the poles and staked down. The teepee canvas material is a 12 to 14 gauge material that is sewn together by the heavy and thick waxed thread. The canvas for the teepee last around two years depending on usage of the teepee.
Blue Mountain Clan's Use
The Blue Mountain Clan crown dancers use a teepee as well. This teepee is where the crown dancers pray before every dance. They bless the Earth and ask Mother Earth to use the ground for a certain purpose. The Blue Mountain Clan is always careful to respect the Earth and return the grounds back to their original state.
