What materials were used to cover Northeast Indian homes?

Traditional homes of the Northeast Indians, such as wickiups (or wigwams) and longhouses, were constructed using a framework of poles or saplings. The materials used to cover these structures depended on local availability.12

Common coverings included:

• Bark: Sheets or panels of bark, such as elm bark, were frequently used to sheath the frameworks.123
• Reeds: These were used as a covering material in areas where they were readily available.1
• Woven mats: These were also utilized to cover the dome-shaped structures of wickiups.1

In the case of longhouses, the rectangular sapling frames were typically covered with bark panels or shingles.2