What did the Flathead Indians live in?

Answer 1

Before they obtained horses, Plateau tribes such as the Flatheads lived in winter villages on riverbanks. In summer these groups split up to search out seasonal foods, meaning that winter housing could be semi-permanent, but in summer something more temporary or portable was needed.

Winter houses were "pit-houses" excavated 3 or 4 feet deep in the ground, with roofs of branches, woven mats and grass. They were warm, solid and secure - the roofing material acted as camouflage. Four or five families lived in each house.

Summer lodges had log frames and sides of matting or planks, with a roof of wood. When horses became available, many Plateau people copied the Plains tipi as a lighter, more mobile home.

Like their neighbours, the Flatheads had special structures for activities requiring seclusion: a childbirth lodge, the girls' puberty lodge, the sweat lodge and small pit houses for storing dried food.