Tiponi Builds a Nest

It was the time of day Gonyaul was supposed to meet Tiponi and he excused himself from the weaving group. When he arrived back at his camp he saw Tiponi smiling in wait for him. Surrounding her were piles of tent materials and tools that she had gathered. Her relatives played a crucial role in transporting these supplies for a modest tent, with her two younger siblings lending the most muscle.

She went up to Gonyaul and bade him to take a seat. She then offered him a drink and a skin of Berry Pemmacin. Gonyaul showed his appreciation, but was curious why she was going to such great lengths to cater to him. Was this how others felt when he did such things?

Gonyaul followed her directions and rested. Tiponi glanced over her shoulder at him and moved towards the small clearing with tent materials. Gonyaul knew that look. It was the kind of look one might have right before a performance for a favored audience.

Tiponi began setting up the tent. Gonyaul instantly got up to try and help in the process. It looked like she could probably use the help, being helpful was his kagim, and he genuinely wanted to learn how to do it as well; hands on was better than spectating.

Tiponi stopped what she was doing and firmly halted him. She was gentle and kind; however, it was no mistaking she didn’t want his help. She had to show him that she could set up a home herself, that she was capable. Gonyaul relented to her placing him back down to watch. To Gonyaul, it felt awkward not to help but he honored her request.

Tiponi got back to work, she was determined. She started with the three sturdiest poles to make the preliminary tipi tripod. They were oriented towards the North, South and future Door. She also repositioned the smallest in diameter, shortest and least straight poles and set them aside. These would be used later as the smoke flap poles.

At this point, she began making a ground plan in the spot where the tent would be erected utilizing a stick to draw.

Next, Tiponi began tying the tripod poles together using grass rope and clove hitch knots. She used the ground plan to orient her poles and place them in the correct places. Using the leftover rope from the clove hitch and setting up a side structure in the gradual and slow lifting, to aid with her handicap, she then single-handedly raised the tripod poles into their vertical positions with great effort.

Gonyaul was amazed by her ingenuity and creativity to overcome the physical obstacles. He marveled at her grit and tenacity, it was obvious it was hard work. And whenever she seemed to struggle and need to pause, she would always glance over at Gonyaul. It was like seeing him lit a fire of energy and perseverance under her and she once again would continue.

This made Gonyaul blush. There was something going on, unspoken (or maybe it was, he just doesn’t know their language), that she was adamant about pleasing him with this task.

To make matters worse, a few other women had gathered, or slowed their ambulation, to spectate. They would all look at Gonyaul knowingly and give congratulatory bows or comments. This made him blush again for being the center of attention when he felt all the praise should be going towards Tiponi, as well as awkward because here he was doing nothing but watching.

Tiponi was panting and wiping the sweat from her brow as she chose the sturdiest pole that was remaining and set it aside. It would be used later as her lift pole. She then placed in the poles one at a time assuring to use the proper order. Then she used the rope to wrap around the cluster of poles four times.

It was time to get the cover, made of tanned caribou hides, on. First she bound the pole flap to the lift pole very tightly so that no slipping would happen during the hanging of the tipi cover. She tied a smoke flap line, using her mouth whenever she had to tie something, to each of the smoke flaps. Once the lift pole was in the cluster, Tiponi spread the tipi canvas around the poles.

She then prepared the lacing pins. A chance to catch her breath a little. And wrapping the cover around the poles as designed, she began lacing through the reinforced holes to the poles to bind the cover down tight. It was tedious and repetitive work at this point.

Gonyaul was feeling more and more honor with each passing moment. He felt an overflowing of vitality that turned his cheeks a rosy red, this only seemed to encourage Tiponi to press on enthusiastically.

He was paying attention to everything she was doing. In hindsight though he would have to admit what started out paying attention to the design and construction, was shifting to applying his focus more on her design and execution of the construction.

Tiponi was nearing the end of the materials. She fetched the two poles that she put aside for smoke flap poles at the beginning. She placed the small ends in the smoke flap pockets and crossed the butts behind the tipi with just enough pressure to take out the wrinkles.

She then began to stake the tipi down. And once completely done she began pulling hides, for flooring and padding inside through the door flap.

Finished, she stood looking up at her final product. It was smaller than the traditional size, but it was her best. She was drenched in sweat from the hard labor and difficult challenge. It had taken her considerably longer and harder than any other Odsier woman would have taken. Typically this was done with help, but not the first time. The first time was meant to be an audition, or interview, for the prospective suitor.

She did it! She had been anxious, as a little girl, if she would be able to and she did. No one could take this away from her and her eyes were watering at how proud she felt about herself in this moment. Her family had been spying on her occasionally throughout the process, save her father who was off on a hunting party, and they were celebrating as well her triumph.

Now the only question would be, ‘would Gonyaul deem her home suitable to sleep in?’. If he did, it was another official step closer to the process of betrothal.