Big Tipi, Same Circle
The Sioux Indians lived in mobile camps with their tipis arranged in a circle. The entrance of each faced the centre of the circle where the central community tipi was placed. Most families tried to keep their own tipi sharp and updated but were happy to pass along their old tipi to another. No matter how big, new, or fancy the tipi, they were all placed the same distance from the centre. Community status was not determined by how fancy your tipi was.
Share Good Fortune
Wood for fires and water for drinking was shared freely. It was understood that your neighbour could take wood or water if they ran short. Even if you were away, they were free to go into your tipi to take what they needed. They recognized that wood and water were provided by the Great Spirit and were only collected by people.
Distribute Food
Food such as meat required great skill to acquire and often involved danger. Food was not to be taken from a neighbour but was freely shared. When a hunter brought home meat, the woman of the tent had control over who got what. Women respected the right of other women to distribute their food generously to others. Families who did not have an able-bodied hunter received food from their neighbours.
Equal Value for All
We can learn from the Sioux Indians. Maintain your tipi to keep it looking sharp, but your value doesn’t come from your tipi. Everyone has equal value. Recognize what is the result of good fortune provided by the Great Spirit. Work hard to find food for your family and share generously.
Return to the ancient paths for a flourishing community.
