The environment of the plateau was very diverse in terms of geography even though region was one smaller part of Canada. The people of plateau region lived in an area of Canada that was dominated by the Rocky Mountains and their valleys. The territory included expanses of forests, and many natural waterways (rivers and lakes). The mostly common founded tress was coniferous trees in Boreas forest which was most of the region. Rivers were the most important natural resource to the Plateau people, because of pacific salmon during the spring and fall salmon runs. The three most important rivers in the area were the Thompson River, the Kootenay River and the Columbia River. The plateau had cold winters and a dry climate.
Housing
The plateau people were semi-nomadic, that met they needed shelter that was easy to put up and take down. They lived in 3 types of shelters: Pit house, Tipi, and Tule mat lodges.
Housing - the Pit House
Pit houses were mostly used in winters or during the whole year.Pit houses were mostly below the ground with entrance through a ladder. 1-2 meters were dug to underground using a wooden digging stick or an elk scapula shovel. to build the house. The walls and frame of the pit house were built with logs and sealed (for insulation) with dirt and grasses. The domed roof frame was also made out of wooden poles, and then covered with layers of bark and dirt. the entrance through the house was using a ladder through a hole in the roof. Most pit houses were 8-10 meters in diameter, this made it possible for several families to live in a pit house.But a Chief's pit house could be twice as large.
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Housing - the Tipi
The tipi is the shelter for the summer. the tipi unlike a pit house is above ground. the tipi's were similarly built like their neighbors the plains. It was mostly the Ktunaxa people who built these tipi. The Plateau people built covered wooden frame tipi.The Plateau people mostly used tule (bulrush) reed mats.
Housing - Tule Mat Lodges
Tule mat lodges was also a summer shelter that was above ground. they were large, oblong-shaped tipi constructed using the same materials. They had a wooden frame, covered with mats of tule or other grass.were used in the construction of tipi and lodges, because they were strong, durable reeds that were already available in the area.
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