How to Make a Micmac Teepee
The word "teepee" has come to be associated with the conical-shaped homes that were a common sight in Native American communities. These temporary dwellings are easy to build, using local materials and are quite comfortable. The Micmac, or Mi'kmaw people, were an indigenous people who were located in modern day Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and parts of New England. The following guide will help you build an authentic MicMac teepee, using natural materials.
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Things You'll Need
- 8 spruce poles, about 8-feet long each
- 20 feet of split spruce root
- One small, flexible sapling to form a hoop about 5 feet long, no bigger than 2 inches at the base
- 20 to 25 large pieces (from 2-foot square to 4-foot square) of birch bark
- Large container filled with warm water
- Small, sharp knife
- Wooden stake
- Hammer
- Shovel (optional)
- Spruce boughs (optional)
Instructions
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The Base
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After selecting a level piece of ground for your Micmac wigwam, ensure that the earth is not too rocky or too soft. The ground needs to be firm enough to secure the five spruce poles for the conical shelter. Once you have decided where the wigwam will be, clear away any low-lying vegetation.
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Draw a circle that is 6 feet in circumference, making eight holes around the circle, using the hammer and wooden stake. The holes should be about 4 inches deep and an equal distance apart in the circle. If you would like a fire pit in your wigwam, now would be the time to use the shovel to dig a wide but shallow hole in the middle of the circle.
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Place three of the poles upright and lean them inward so they meet at the top. Use the knife to make some notches where the poles touch to hold them in place. Use 2 feet of the split spruce root to further secure them.
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Place the other five poles around the circle in the same way as the first three. Use notches in the wood and 2 more feet of spruce root to hold them in place.
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Using the knife, strip the small sapling of any small leaves or branches. Bend the sapling into a hoop and tie together using a length of split spruce root. Once secure, place the hoop inside the frame and use the split spruce root to secure it to the top. This will improve the stability of the conical shelter.
The Cone
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To make the wigwam taller or shorter, the length of the poles can vary. Soak the birch bark for about 45 minutes to make it softer, flatter and more pliable. These will be your "shingles." Decide where the door to your Micmac wigwam will be and start to layer the birch bark over the spruce poles from each side of your door.
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Start to layer the birch bark at the conical base of the wigwam. Work your way to the back, then return to the front and start again from the other side of the door, finishing the other half of the cone. When you need to secure a piece of birch bark in place, use the knife to make a small hole in the birch bark and thread a piece of split spruce root through it. Use this to secure the birch bark to the wooden poles.
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Once the base of the conical shelter is covered, repeat the same steps as you work your way up the wooden poles. If you wish to have a fire pit in the middle of the wigwam, leave the top open so smoke can escape. Use the spruce boughs to make the interior of your Micmac wigwam more comfortable.
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Tips & Warnings
A "teepee" refers to a structure made with hide, usually buffalo skin. The Micmacs built their dwellings, using birch bark and tree limbs. The correct term for the structure described here would actually be a "wigwam." The Micmac wigwam also had an oval variation with a rounded roof that was larger, but more difficult to build. You are welcome to make substitutions for the materials as needed. For example, you may use fiber glass poles and nylon rope if wooden poles and spruce root are unavailable.
Please use your Micmac wigwam the way it was intended; as a temporary shelter. Although the height and width of your wigwam can be altered, follow the directions for building the base carefully to ensure stability. Be cautious and considerate when harvesting birch bark, as taking too much bark from a single tree can kill it.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit spruce image by Tatuana Badokina from Fotolia.com wigwam mit streben aus stein image by pmphoto from Fotolia.com
