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Rocket Mass Heater

As part of the light straw clay home/office project it was important to us to demonstrate techniques for off grid living. This project is particularly important because Pine Ridge Reservation currently has a huge shortage of viable firewood. Hardwood such as ash and...

Caretaker Cabin

Earth Tipi is more than just a family project. We are here for the community to inspire creativity, ideas and share knowledge for sustainable housing and food sovereignty. In order to accomplish our mission and goals we need as many people on site as possible. Because...

Food Forest: 2013 – Present

A food forest is a permaculture term for a well planned perennial food garden. For us, that means placing plants that are well suited to grow next to each other or sometimes called “guilding” or “companion planting”. Over the past few years we have added...

How to make clay and milk wall plaster

This easy recipe requires: Six (6) parts fine white sand (the same kind used in swimming pool filters, careful to buy REAL sand silicate and not the plastic imitation when looking for this product.) One (1) part fine white clay (we found both the clay and the sand at...

Pallet Cabin Demonstration

This project is currently sponsored and funded by Mike Gray and William Penn House. During the summers of 2014 and 2015 they built and finished an 8 x 12 structure to demonstrate a very affordable alternative to people living in tents during the summer months. This is...

Fruit Tree Planting

We had a very exciting week in May from the 16th to the 21st here at Earth Tipi! For more than a year I have been working with the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation to bring fruit orchards throughout the Pine Ridge Reservation. Funding was finally identified in October...

Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Grant

Five more orchards planted! Shannon Freed, now Earth Tipi’s director had received a lot of interest from members of the Pine Ridge Reservation community wanting trees for their family homes as well as orchards in districts throughout the reservation. Shannon very much...

Light Straw Clay Home/Office Project

Publicity of the summer 2011 Pallet House Project sparked interest in Earth Tipi, at that time we were contacted by different individuals and organizations wanting to do other types of natural and alternative building projects. The residence where Shannon and Adam...

Zani Radio Show

In 2012 and 2013 Earth Tipi, in collaboration with KILI Radio aired and recorded approximately 30 episodes of the “Zani Show”. Hosted by KILI Radio DJ Arlo “Mahpiya Maza” Iron Cloud and Earth Tipi’s Founder and Director, Shannon Freed. These episodes are one hour...

Lakota Waldorf Kindergarten Presentations

During 2012, Shannon Freed, Earth Tipi Founder and Director conducted weekly presentations at the Lakota Waldorf Kindergarten. The presentations focus on teaching the children where food originates from and how to prepare it. The children learn whether if food grows...

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