Near Pickstown in Charles Mix County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Women's Work: Making & Raising Tipis

December 3, 2021

1. Women's Work: Making & Raising Tipis Marker

Inscription.
Tipis were the exclusive responsibility of women among Great Plains tribes. They worked together to set them up and take them down, make hide covers, cut poles, and pack and transport the tipis and their contents.

After the arrival of the horse, tipi dwellings became larger and heavier. The average tipi size went from about 12 feet across to 18 feet or more. Larger tipis needed a dozen or more poles, which weighed around 400 pounds; the hide cover added about 150 pounds.

[Captions:]
Oglala women and children inside a tipi frame.

Before the horse, domesticated dogs carried the tipi lodge poles and covers strapped to their backs or dragged behind them on travois.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Anthropology & Archaeology • Native Americans • Women.

Location. 43° 4.163′ N, 98° 32.739′ W. Marker is near Pickstown, South Dakota, in Charles Mix County. Marker is on U.S. 18, half a mile west of Missouri Drive, on the right when traveling west. The marker stands at the Fort Randall Dam Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake Andes SD 57356, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Star Power (here, next to this marker); Buffalo Tipi Covers

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(here, next to this marker); Gifts of the Buffalo (here, next to this marker); Circle of Life (here, next to this marker); Tipi: "They Dwell" (here, next to this marker); Fort Randall Dam - Lake Francis Case (a few steps from this marker); Pickstown / Lewis and Clark (approx. 0.7 miles away); Pickstown Centennial Garden Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pickstown.

Women's Work: Making & Raising Tipis Marker <i>(right)</i> image. Click for full size.

December 3, 2021

2. Women's Work: Making & Raising Tipis Marker (right)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2021. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 6, 2021. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.