If it were about your nation.....

[Historian]

My 2 cents worth.

SuzyQ,
One thing you may want to consider, is that although there have been, and in some cases still are, many different tribes that have lived or are living in Texas, not all of them were tribes that made use of the Tipi. If you want to be sensative to Tribal Cultures of the area, you may want to focus on tribes such as the Tonkawa, Comanche and Kiowa that did use Tipis for their dwellings.

A second thing to consider, is that any photograph you may come across showing Tipi's with painted symbols, usually had a very special significance that I would not suggest trying to duplicate on your Tipi Motel exteriors or even on the interiors. A plain white exterior is probably going to be the best suggestion I can offer, if you are looking to be authentic.

As far as what to put inside the Tipi Units for decoration, that would depend on how much you are looking to invest. I can suggest a good supplier of authentic Plains Culture Art and Artifact Reproductions, called Prairie Edge Trading Company and Gallery. Although their focus is on Northern Plains Tribes, you can get the idea of the types of the items that might be available for some of the Southern Plains Tribes in your area. Their website is: http://www.prairieedge.com/

Lastly, if you want to learn more about Tipi's, may I suggest you pick up a copy of a very good book on the subject.
The Indian Tipi: It's History, Construction and Use, by Reginald and Gladys Laubin with Stanley Vestal, University of Oklahoma Press, Second Edition, September 1989.

Just to let you know:
The original Wigwam Village Motel #1 was built in Horse Cave, Kentucky in 1935 and is no longer in use. However, Wigwam Village Motel #2 is still in use in Cave City, Kentucky and you can go to their website at: http://www.wigwamvillage.com/

Just a side note:
"Wigwam" is actually a Northeastern Algonquian term for a dome shaped dwelling made from shingled layers of bark or woven reed mats attached to a framework of bent saplings and has nothing to do with the Lakota term for a their portable buffalohide and later canvas tent called a "Tipi."

BTW:
You can spend a night in an actual Lakota style Tipi at the Minnekahta Tipi Village at Allen Ranch in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Each Tipi sleeps six and is $25/night.

[Leaping Duck]

I have been down that section of highway many times and always thought it would be cool to see them restored. They were in bad shape last I saw it, but I am sure ya'll know all about it. There is a serious lack of knowledge in the coastal plains of TX. There is almost zero eveidence of history and the story of the Karankawas is almost gone forever. The lower Colorado basin was a very active site during winter, when the migrating buffalo herds pushed all the way to Matagorda. There are large camps all along the river for it's entire length. Tonkawa tribes were the ones longest associated with that region. Where my place is, near San marcos is the community point in TX where all tribes came together in peace for the sacred spring(which is now and amusement park and crappy golf course ) and the northern edges of Tonkawa roaming. Keep us updated and pics are always nice. Good luck and I promise to stop in when completed.

[suzyq]

Historian - Thank you so much for your help, it is greatly appreciated. I continue to do extensive research on everything we do for this project to make sure it is accurate and does not offend anyone. Part of this research and study is the dwellings of the tribes. Thank you also for the book suggestion. I will be getting it to read.

We will not duplicate any tipi paintings whatsoever! It is not our intentions to copy anything. We have total respect for the Native American Indian. That's why I have posted this thread, to make sure we do this right.

I also thank you for the link to prarieedge.com. One of the many great websites I have found with authentic items. As far as the cost, I don't think there is a limit. Our biggest problem is securing the items in the rooms to make sure they are available for all to see and not demean the display.

Again, thank you for all of your help!

[Soohkiisimsstaan]

Looks like a HUGE undertaking. $$$$ but best of luck!

[suzyq]

There is a serious lack of knowledge in the coastal plains of TX. There is almost zero eveidence of history and the story of the Karankawas is almost gone forever. The lower Colorado basin was a very active site during winter, when the migrating buffalo herds pushed all the way to Matagorda. There are large camps all along the river for it's entire length. Tonkawa tribes were the ones longest associated with that region. Where my place is, near San marcos is the community point in TX where all tribes came together in peace for the sacred spring(which is now and amusement park and crappy golf course ) and the northern edges of Tonkawa roaming. Keep us updated and pics are always nice. Good luck and I promise to stop in when completed.

I totally agree with you on the lack of knowledge. I was beginning to wander about the Karankawas' history - I have looked and looked and there is not much on them at all like you said. But I have not given up.

Again, that is the main point of this project, to put the history and cultures back into our society as it belongs! It will be accurate, may not be what we were taught in traditional schools, but it will be accurate.

I went to a Pow Wow in Livingston last weekend and was in total awe and ashamed that more of the non-Indians were not present. People do not realize what they are missing when they close their eyes to the original settlers of our world. I saw a "Tiny Tot" dancer that was probably 3 years old and thought to myself, he was probably one of the few 3 year olds that knew who he was. Awesome! Not many adults even know that much about themselves.

We will have a website up soon to show the progress of the restoration - I'll keep you posted.

THANK YOU!!!!

[suzyq]

SuzyQ,

Lastly, if you want to learn more about Tipi's, may I suggest you pick up a copy of a very good book on the subject.
The Indian Tipi: It's History, Construction and Use, by Reginald and Gladys Laubin with Stanley Vestal, University of Oklahoma Press, Second Edition, September 1989.

Outstanding book! A few of the things covered in the book I had already read, but there is so much good information here! Thank you so very much!

[suzyq]

The Kids are already learning!!!!

The 7th and 8th grade students from the local Junior High School have already taken on studying the tipis! They have researched the outside painting and symbols and made small versions of them out of brown paper with their drawings on them and gave them to us as well as drawings on paper.

I know it sounds silly of me to get so excited, but at least they started somewhere! I'm a person that loves to learn and for a person that has never seen the inside of a college except to enroll my daughter, I have learned more in the last few months than I did my entire traditional studies in school.

We are working on our website design right now and want to include good Indian related websites for our visitors. Any suggestions? I have tons marked as my favorites, but should I just stick with the Tribal websites?

Thanks again everybody!!

[Historian]

Hope these resources help.

...We are working on our website design right now and want to include good Indian related websites for our visitors. Any suggestions? I have tons marked as my favorites, but should I just stick with the Tribal websites?

Thanks again everybody!!

May I suggest you go to the following sites which in turn have lists of other Native American topic websites.

http://www.americanindiantribe.com/greene/ait_websites.htm

http://cobalt.lang.osaka-u.ac.jp/~krkvls/lang.html

http://www.aaanet.org/resinet.htm

http://rock.uwc.edu/facultypages/pgroth/anthhawg.htm

http://www.cowboy.net/

http://www.nativevillage.org/Libraries/Language%20Libraries.htm

http://www.nativevillage.org/Education%20Opportunities.htm

http://www.nativeweb.org/resources/

http://www.nmai.si.edu/

[cool_cowboy_05]

awesome

suzyq, i throughly agree with u. i live in Texas as well, but in true west texas, not the gulf coast. the whole time through school i was very disappointed about the lack of native american studies. if they can go on forever about slavery and the great depression, why can't they cover cultures found in our country, state, and counties???? really chaps my hide....even though i have only a week left of school, i am still very upset over the lack. this past summer i even wrote a bill for Texas 4-H Congress on native americans and the necessity for an increase on study of the tribes and cultures. but that's beside the point....i will be more than happy to help you in your research and education efforts....

[suzyq]

suzyq, i throughly agree with u. i live in Texas as well, but in true west texas, not the gulf coast. the whole time through school i was very disappointed about the lack of native american studies. if they can go on forever about slavery and the great depression, why can't they cover cultures found in our country, state, and counties???? really chaps my hide....even though i have only a week left of school, i am still very upset over the lack. this past summer i even wrote a bill for Texas 4-H Congress on native americans and the necessity for an increase on study of the tribes and cultures. but that's beside the point....i will be more than happy to help you in your research and education efforts....

Have you ever noticed that we so TOTALLY have to celebrate Cinco De Mayo and Black History month? BUT YOU NEVER HEAR A WORD about NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH! I didn't even know there was such a thing until I got on the internet. How disgusting is that?

We are having a tipi design contest with the 18 and under group from the community. The community leaders want it judged by the Art League and when I suggested we include the American History teachers from the area, it was like I called them a bad word. We want the children to learn what it's about, not if it looks good or not. Don't you think my way is best? We will have it my way even if it steps on toes. I'm not trying to force them to learn, but I was always taught if you are going to get involved in something, learn about it while you are doing it.

At the tipis - WE WILL CELEBRATE NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH! I just need suggestions on good ways to carry that out the right way. Any ideas? Anybody?

Thanks so much to everyone for your input! This has truly been the most important thing I have ever done in my entire life.

[cool_cowboy_05]

totally agree

it would have been awesome if someone in our community had done the things u are doin. but lil ole po-dung fort stockton doesn't do much native american wise, besides a mescalero apache that brings his tools and his art. it alos makes me mad that we celebrate cinco de mayo and mexican independence day, but nothing about Texas Independence Day or any of the battles.....royally chaps my hide.

[suzyq]

I have been down that section of highway many times and always thought it would be cool to see them restored. They were in bad shape last I saw it, but I am sure ya'll know all about it. There is a serious lack of knowledge in the coastal plains of TX. There is almost zero eveidence of history and the story of the Karankawas is almost gone forever. The lower Colorado basin was a very active site during winter, when the migrating buffalo herds pushed all the way to Matagorda. There are large camps all along the river for it's entire length. Tonkawa tribes were the ones longest associated with that region. Where my place is, near San marcos is the community point in TX where all tribes came together in peace for the sacred spring(which is now and amusement park and crappy golf course ) and the northern edges of Tonkawa roaming. Keep us updated and pics are always nice. Good luck and I promise to stop in when completed.

We've come a long way since these pictures. We now have the "3 pole" attachment on the tops which really adds to their beauty. More to come...................

AGAIN - THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ALL OF THEIR CONTINUED HELP!

[momme]

Wow

The before to the in progress pics are amazing. They look great.
Sarah

[suzyq]

Tipi Competition - Grand Opening

Plans are underway on the Grand Opening of the motel and I thought this would be a perfect time and place for a Tipi competition. Is there a chance (since it's in Texas) that we could possibly have a good turnout of competitors? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[tipis]

When will this grand opening be...if in the hotter months of summer you are going to have a problem with heart attacks. Many people do not put up tipis durring the hot time of the year in the South and West becuase of this. Then you have hurricane season...need I say more. But would like to know more about what you plan to do for competition.

Right now I am getting ready for the National Tipi Competition in Danville, Ill. where there will be tipis in the traditional and modern styles. If you let me know right away what you are going to do....I leave Monday Morning...I will talk to the other tipi owners and see what they could do for you. Some are from the Texas area. But would need time and some advertisement that this is going on????? Bringing in tipis is a big cost and big travel for these people. More so than any other event for people to participate in. If you want a large amount of tipis or a few...depends on you and what you are doing?

I am the moderator for this site and have been reading these post for a short while. Been busy the last two years writing a new book on tipis due out by Xmas? It is not a re-hash of Laubin, but a new look at the evolution and historical as well as construction of tipis thru the last 150 years or so...and that is cloth tipis, not buffalo. Someone else is doing that.

As for Prairy Edge and authentic material....do more research. They are for the tourist and not the hisotrical minded people. But to put in a motel for decoration...they are ok. What ever you put up...secure it GOOOOD or it will walk. And do not put in anything you do not mind loosing.

In any work you look at...look for what is called first person or writen or photographed at the time talked about. Anything after that is second person and not reliable account.

And have you been to my site?

https://www.tipis-tepees-teepees.com