Introduction:
Bordered with Alberta, Northwest Territories, Manitoba and Montana, Saskatchewan is the third most crowded province of Canada. Saskatchewan has developed a very vivacious and unique culture regardless of having worst climate conditions and landscapes. Saskatchewan culture is reflection of multiple cultures. Culture of any place imitates values and belief of the people, the way they live, their behavior, Arts music and architecture of the place. Culture reflects how people from diverse backgrounds and regions live together in communities and form common beliefs, values and norms.
Saskatchewan culture is mixture of American, English, European and aboriginal culture. People from different nations migrated to Saskatchewan, affected the existing aboriginal culture to a great extent and formed a new culture. Aboriginal culture was formed by Metis and Indian people and it was also known as First Nation Culture. Aboriginal people faced a number of challenges related to education, heath, finance, land and law. External cultures impacted their life significantly. Due to epidemics like chickenpox and reduction in wildlife resources aboriginal people were mainly dependent on Government policies. Government policies were focused on destroying their identity and were not in favor of aboriginals and in favor of British and American people. Over the years aboriginal people are still fighting for their rights and survival.
Various ethnic settlements took place and a number of communities belonging to people from same nations were formed. During initial years basic facilities have been developed. Earlier people were dependent on agriculture as their main source of income and livelihood. With the time various economic developments took place and various industries like forestry, fishing and mining have been established. Presently economy of the Saskatchewan is associated with Agriculture, energy and mining. Saskatchewan is now known for uranium and potash export to the world and providing wheat grain to large population of country. Being third highest in owning number of farms, largest exporter of Potash and Uranium, Saskatchewan contribution is significant to overall Canadian economy. Culture of Saskatchewan also evolved along with economic development and urbanization brought changes in life style of people. Aboriginal people are also recovering, reforming their communities and gaining their rights.
Symbols are an integrated part of Aboriginal culture and these symbols represents the tradition, culture and hereditary values of Aboriginals. Some of the famous symbols of aboriginal culture are tipi, Sweet grass, Metis sash and pipe. Symbols of this culture are valuable and mean a lot for the aboriginal people. People unanimously decide and select these symbols and next generation inherits these symbols as a valuable heritage.
Here we would describe “Tipi”, a very important symbol of the aboriginal culture.
TIPI, the symbol of aboriginal culture
History:
If aboriginal accounts are to be believed the history of tipi is as old as six thousand years. Evidences of tipi are found from the pictures and circles made on rocks and indicate the existence of tipi in ancient times. During the summers a huge number of people gathered at one open place for bison hunt and plant collections. Tipi used to provide them a shelter under open sky. History and culture of aboriginal people affected the meaning of tipi. Over the period of time tipi was no longer treated as shelter only, tipi had become a symbol of unity, strengths and a whole set of values and beliefs for aboriginal people. Aboriginal people started believing that tipi is reflection of their culture and people should learn all the values it’s carrying.
Meaning of Tipi:
Each and every part of tipi is very important to perform the function. All the parts need to tie up together correctly so that the structure stands strongly. The important parts of tipi are – poles, cover, pins and pegs. Each parts of tipi depict a moral belief of aboriginal culture. Aboriginal people use to believe that if they will respect and follow all the moral belief they will also stand firmly together.
The pole represents – thirteen poles represent thirteen values. The values are as follow;
1. Obedience – people should obey their elders and follow internal law and orders set by community members.
2. Respect – people should respect each other’s.
3. Humility – Humility for each bring harmony in their life.
4. Happiness – people should keep themselves happy to ease all the pains and sufferings.
5. Love – affection and care for family and friends.
6. Faith – to have faith in themselves and good. It makes them strong and give them strength to fight.
7. Kinship – kinship with family member and other relatives bring harmony.
8. Cleanliness – cleanliness is required to keep environment clean and protected from various deceases.
9. Thankfulness – this gesture helps in keeping harmony and increased the strength of community.
10. Sharing – sharing increase love and affection among family and friends.
11. Strength – strengths helps in fighting against any issue.
12. Good child rearing – to make tomorrow brighter and prosperous.
13. Hope – person should never loss hope and should keep work going. Person who never lose hope always get good results.
Cover – the cover of tipi reflect warmth and protection.
Pins – fourteens pins shows how to keep family firmly bonded and intact.
Pegs – peg shows strengths and relationship.
The use of tipi has not only seen in Saskatchewan, the symbol shows a basic structure of camp and hut and one can see them easily in many developing countries especially in rural areas. Many tourist, nomads and trackers use this during their journey. The structure is easy to set up and can be carried easily. The structure does not carry any meaning to the tourist and trackers, for them it is a structure which provides them shelter in open land. For nomads and tribal people the structure still communicate a set of values and beliefs of their culture. The meaning of symbol may vary because of the shared socialization but tipi will remain very useful when it comes to stay in open land.
Conclusion:
Aboriginal people are important part of Saskatchewan and their culture is true reflection of Saskatchewan history and development. The symbol tipi has been given lot of importance by aboriginal people as it carries all the values of aboriginal culture. The symbol portrays all the values required for a human being to deal with day to day life and also to progress in future.
References
Saskatchewan. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2011, from www.gov.sk.ca: http://www.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=d35c114d-b058-49db-896a-4f657f5fd66e
The Tipi as Symbol. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2011, from www.royalsaskmuseum.ca: http://www.royalsaskmuseum.ca/education/kids_domain/encyclopedia/First%20_Nations/traditional/pdf/tipi.pdf
