The Tipi A Blackfoot tipi is deceptively sophisticated in terms of its architecture design and applications. The tipi features a circular structure, with a fire in the centre and an opening at the top. Tipis have no solid flooring, furniture or ceilings and there is but one entrance. Poles serve as the supports to the covering made of animal hides – buffalo and deer in the case of the Blackfoot. The circular shape, combined with the opening at the top, allows for the emission of smoke during fire use as well as encouraging healthy air circulation within the living space. Tipis were used as dwellings from construction materials that could be disassembled and moved quite easily, leaving but a trace behind. They continue to be used today for special ceremonial purposes.
The Circle Model In terms of cultural values and practicality, the tipi illustrates a design that perfectly meets the needs of traditional Blackfoot society. The circular shape is conducive to face to face communication by promoting a sense of equity and participation, consensus, in discussions and decision-making. There is nowhere to hide in a circle. The circle represents all things connected in the universe, the four directions, the four seasons, the four elements, the four sacred medicines, and so on. The opening at the top of the tipi also allows for constant visual contact with the sky world as well, heaven, and the Creator of all living things. The fire serves as a source of heat and comfort as much as for cooking, easily shared by anyone in the tipi. The fire represents the essence of being, the life force, and the connecting link between the worlds above and below the earth’s surface. The sole entrance can be opened or closed, allowing for light or privacy as required. The placement of the tipi is planned prior to construction with the entrance facing East in honour of the natural environment that provides everything needed for one’s sustenance, again reflecting a consciousness of connection and active relationship with nature. Sitting in the tipi directly on the earth provides a definite grounding effect through the close contact with Mother Earth, again emphasizing kinship between man and nature.
Tipi Symbolism The tipi was one of the places in which important discussions were held and decisions made in traditional Blackfoot society, however taken as a whole, the tipi is symbolic of the sphere of interconnected life forms and energy forces, levels of existence, that make up the universe - all that is seen and unseen, in the waters and in the clouds as well as those walking on the earth or living below its surface. The tipi represents these connections laterally as well as vertically, a perfect representation of life itself.
Governance The House of Commons is where parliamentary procedure takes place in the federal government of Canada (in Ottawa). The Parliament buildings are imposing stone structures. Parliamentary sessions open and close with the ceremonial entrance of the mace brought through the Hall of Honour to the Commons Chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms. The mace, originating from a weapon of long ago, is a long, gold staff that represents the authority of the House of Commons and is placed on the table central to the Commons Chamber. Today, gavels are used much the same way in courts and board meetings to imply authority. There is assigned seating of the elected members of Parliament, party in power on one side and Opposition Party on the other side, and the Speaker of the House in the middle. The Chamber is rectangular in shape with seats rising on either side as in an auditorium.
In terms of process, Question Period serves as an opportunity for government representatives, usually members of the Opposition, to ask questions of the government in power - to challenge their decision making. All must address the Speaker of the House when speaking. Question Period is usually lively and animated, occasionally becoming antagonistic and aggressive and difficult to follow when several people speak or shout at once, requiring the Speaker of the House to halt the debates, name calling, and so on. Decisions are legalized after voting and bill passage processes are completed.
In terms of gender equity, there are significantly more males than females in Canadian government at present, but that number is changing as more women enter politics. The Senate is where many of the senior government representatives work to establish government policy. Similarly, traditional Blackfoot decision-making discussions open and close with ceremonial smudging and presentation of a bundle of sacred objects and assigned seating of those community members deemed able and qualified to participate, males on one side and females on the other. The smudge altar is central, representing the place of highest honour. Decision making processes involve discussions, singing and dancing.
In contrast to Parliament, however, traditional Blackfoot discussions are held with great respect and integrity for all speakers, in honour of the Creator and the gifts of knowledge and wisdom bestowed to the decision makers. This practice encourages gender equity and promotes the transmission of knowledge through the generations from grandfather to father to son and from grandmother to mother to daughter. The transmission of knowledge from old to young is highly regarded and elders’ views are given the greatest of consideration. Respect for the Creator is of supreme importance as all power is understood to be given by the Creator, not by humans. And the bundle is not a symbol of war but instead made up of a mixture of objects such as feathers, plant leaves, animal bones, etc.; these items are symbolic of life and human kinship to the animal world and the plant world. There is training provided to the bundle custodian as to how to take care of the bundle. Finally, decisions are “legalized” in the tipi only after prayer for guidance and wisdom and acceptance/witnessing by all.
Blackfoot Leadership Authorization to lead in traditional Blackfoot society is determined by evaluation of qualifications based on one’s cultural knowledge of songs, language and actions (dances). This knowledge could be transferred by community elders or through dreams or vision quests, emphasizing the spiritual source and connection to knowledge. Objects used to represent this authority, therefore, have great spiritual significance, such as the bundle or rattle, as all decisions made have to be respectful and considerate of all living beings which were created equally. Smudging with traditional medicines, tobacco in particular, begins the purification process to cleanse the participants before engaging in the discussion. The smoke of the burning plants infuses the tipi and transmits prayers for guidance and strength and wisdom to the spirit world, to the Creator, as the entire “legal” process is a sacred protocol given to the Blackfoot by the Creator. |
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