Roger's Roughneck Wisdom

In the Teepee

Roger Wilson 10-17-13

What did all of this do for me? My friend’s home, the teepee was now also my home. His family was now my family. When I came to visit, I no longer had to stand outside. They made a special place for me inside. No one else, only family, entered. What a warm, cozy place—where no anger was allowed, only gentle speech. A peace shared by one and all. How rich I had suddenly become.

Inside the teepee was a wonder to behold. A place for everything and everything in its place. An animal stomach had been tanned. Tip it and water ran into a special gourd, cut just so, with a handle—a beautiful creation just to see.

A young lady was nursing a fat little guy. A Black Lab stood nearby. Her job was to make sure a diaper was never needed. She kept that baby clean! The fire was set in the center. A pile of cow chips were burned. The smoke could be controlled, by buckskin strips, to change when the wind changed.

The male members knelt on one knee and ate—just to be ready if attacked. Each man’s war bow, his hunting bow, and his Tomahawk were left in a special place. A quiver held his arrows. A six-foot lance was present. If needed, he could take what he required as he left the teepee. A horse was always ground hitched just outside the door. Horses were changed at a special time.

The women were talented. Everyone had beautiful moccasins to wear—some for work, some for dancing, and some for war or traveling. All clothing was handmade. Leather was beautifully tanned. A large pot was always simmering—held over the fire by buckskin strips. A handmade dipper was available. Everyone owned a wooden bowl with two handholds.

Their favorite saying was, “Dig deep. The puppy is in the bottom.”

Your daily physical needs were met in an interesting way. Urine was a treasure!  It was used for tanning of fresh hides. The hides were soaked. I never knew what else went into this recipe. At the proper time, these hides were taken out, stretched, and all hair was removed to make them pliable. The other “need” was met by a log placed for all to use. Ferns were there for the toilet paper. The dogs cleaned up the mess.

No trip to the store was necessary. I still marvel how well this group of people handled life and living. In my own mind, my people are the savages. When the West was won, we were the big time losers.