How did Cree and Ojibwa winter lodges protect people from harsh weather?

To protect themselves from the harsh conditions of the northern winters, the Cree and Ojibwa constructed durable, conical winter lodges. These structures were specifically designed to provide insulation against the cold by being roofed with a combination of boughs, earth, and snow.1

These materials served as effective barriers against the elements, helping to retain heat within the lodge. This type of housing was part of a broader set of technologies developed by American Subarctic peoples to survive in the boreal forest, where they also relied on specialized clothing and other adaptations to manage the extreme environment.12