The Lakota used buffalo hides and wood to construct their homes, known as tipis. These homes are cone-shaped rounded structures tapered to an open smokehole at the top. Approximately 12-16 feet in diameter, they were large enough to house a family.

Lakota men and women worked together to construct tipis. Women trimmed eight to ten buffalo skins so that they fit together exactly. Then they sewed hides together with strong sinew. Meanwhile, men put up the frame of wooden poles that supported the hides.

Some men drew paintings on the skin of their tipis. They used natural dyes to make pictographs that recorded important events. Successful hunting expeditions or bravery in warfare were favorite subjects for the paintings.

Tipis were lightweight and could be taken apart in a matter of minutes when people moved to another location. The wooden poles were strapped to the back of a horse, and the hides were rolled up and placed on the poles.