<P> Tipis are stereotypically and incorrectly associated with all Native Americans in the United States and Aboriginal people in Canada, despite their usage being unique to the peoples of the Plains . Native American tribes and First Nation band governments from other regions have used other types of dwellings . The tipi is durable, provides warmth and comfort in winter, is cool in the heat of summer, and is dry during heavy rains . Tipis can be disassembled and packed away quickly when people need to relocate and can be reconstructed quickly upon settling in a new area . Historically, this portability was important to Plains Indians with their at - times nomadic lifestyle . </P> <P> The word tipi comes into English from the Lakota language . The Lakota word thípi (ˈthipi) means "a dwelling" or "they dwell", from the verb thí, meaning "to dwell". </P> <P> The wigwam or "wickiup", a dome - shaped shelter typically made of bark layered on a pole - structure, was also used by various tribes, especially for hunting camps . The term wigwam has often been incorrectly used to refer to a conical skin tipi . </P> <P> A typical family tipi is a conical, portable structure with two adjustable smoke flaps, multiple poles (historically from 12 to 25 feet long) called lodge poles . Lewis H. Morgan noted that, </P>

What kind of houses did the lakota live in