A tribe’s lifestyle influenced the types of dwellings they inhabited. Nomadic tribes that followed migratory prey and the seasonal changes of plant life needed housing structures that were easily erected and dismantled. Agricultural tribes, on the other hand, could enjoy more permanent dwellings, like pueblos.

Native American women were integrally involved in the construction of their dwellings. Plains women were the sole designers, makers and erectors of tipis, originally crafted from buffalo hides, and later, canvas.

Moving camp required a carrier (“travois”) that would hold the long tipi poles and heavy hides. Women organized the camp moves, which included packing and pulling the travois.

Wickiups were bent-tree-limb structures covered with brush. Paiute, Crow and Apache used these structures when not “on the move.” When following the buffalo, these tribes lived under the sun and stars. Wickiups and tipis were easily erected and dismantled.

Pueblos were compartmentalized complexes. Men and women jointly constructed the pueblos, with the women applying the adobe surfaces to the structures that men raised.

Upon completion of the pueblo, women were the unit “owners.” Similarly, Pueblo men were the primary agriculturists growing the maize, beans and squash, but women “owned” the harvest.