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LEADERSHIP

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BOD FAQ

Leadership Team
WHAT WE DO
BASIC NEEDS

Energy

Food Resources

Housing

Public Transportation

Volunteer Driver
SELF SUFFICIENCY

DRIVE

Money Management

Rebuilding Lives

Taxes
BUILDING STABILITY

FAIM

Home Ownership

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Energy Application

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How’s your tepee?

Tri-CAP
October 15, 2015

I’ve been a homebuilder and an outdoorsman for most of my life, and over the years have become convinced that the First Americans, the mighty plains tribes, were some of the most gifted home designers of all times. The Lakota Sioux and the Cheyenne came up with the Tepee, a structure made from buffalo hides stretched over a scaffold of poles. They could set up or take down these structures quickly, and transport them on a travois rack behind their ponies. The tepee was warm in the winter and cool in the summer and kept out the worst storms that the plains could muster in any season. The structural design allowed for nearly perfect ventilation by simply opening or closing the door flap or the larger central roof flaps. This detail allowed for a central fire pit to act as the stove for cooking, and for warming the inhabitants during the winter months. They used the “stack effect” to safely exhaust the fire smoke.
We have lost the simplicity of the tepee in our structures, but the physics of our home systems has not changed all that much. Our modern structures are so complex that we were obliged to devise a new branch of science, naming it “Building Science”. In other words, with our new homes we attempt to do what the Native Americans did so well 200 years ago, make our homes warm, dry, efficient and safe.
It boils down to a few basics: Is your home sealed against the wind rain and snow? Do you have enough power to light up your home and run your gadgets? Can you afford to pay for your heat in the winter and keep your lights burning throughout the year?
When things got tough, the Sioux and Cheyenne could pack up their tepees and move to greener pastures or better hunting grounds. It’s not that easy for most of us – we have to stand our ground and make the best of the home that we have. So how’s your tepee doing? If you have problems with your structure, or you are struggling to pay your heating and electrical bills, call Tri-CAP and find out about our available programs. We are here to serve you, we want your home to be safe, warm and affordable.
This month’s energy tips: Close the blinds and draperies on cold winter nights, open them up on sunny winter days and let Mother Nature help to keep your energy bills in check. Plant pine trees to the North and West of your house (they keep their needles and block out winter winds); and Oaks and Maples to the South and East. (Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the cold season, allowing more warm sunshine into your house, and these same trees shade your home in the summer). The plains Indians utilized the natural order of things to their best advantage, and so can you. There’s one more thing that you can do – give Tri-CAP a call and find out how we may be able to help.

By: Stephen Bjorklund

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TRI-CAP CORPORATE OFFICE:
1210 23rd Ave S.
P.O. Box 683
Waite Park, MN 56387

320-251-1612
888-765-5597
Fax : 320-255-9518

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TRI-CAP TRANSPORTATION:
1200 23rd Ave S
P.O. Box 683
Waite Park, MN 56387

320-251-1612
888-765-5597
Fax : 320-255-9518

Email Us

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