I was recently watching the History channel, and they showed a Native American lawn chair. It was a sleeping may with a loop at one end. When you wanted to sit up, you set a tripod with 3 pieces of wood you find laying around and set the loop over it, and there you go lawn chair. Does anyone know the correct name of this chair, or a site that shows images of this chair. I am making a new pad, and would like to incorporate this feature if possible. It seems like all I need to do is sew in a loop but I want to make sure.

Over the years I've seen several canvas tipis set up with these chairs, called willow backrests, and like you said, they either use a tripod or rest against the poles inside a tipi.
http://www.jedediah-starr.com/closeup.asp?cid=109&pid=2162&offset=0

They were developed by Indians hundreds of years ago, along with parfleche containers for tipi storage and fully beaded or quilled cradle boards. Simple, functional works of art.

I looked in all the info I had on hand, you could check with some local tribe councils. From what you described I would think you could use some 2" or so webbing form a cone so that the ends would be contained, the chair sound like it would be comforable. Good luck!

Over the years I've seen several canvas tipis set up with these chairs, called willow backrests, and like you said, they either use a tripod or rest against the poles inside a tipi.
http://www.jedediah-starr.com/closeup.asp?cid=109&pid=2162&offset=0

They were developed by Indians hundreds of years ago, along with parfleche containers for tipi storage and fully beaded or quilled cradle boards. Simple, functional works of art.
Your awesome Tipi. That is exactly what I was looking for. Do you think that a homemade sleeping pad would be easily made to perform both tasks (a sleep pad, and willow backrest)?

I just used my sleeping pad up against a tree or log. Really comfortable.

I just used my sleeping pad up against a tree or log. Really comfortable.That is what i have always done too, but if there is something I can make that is better, then I will make it. Guess the only way to find out is try different builds till I get exactly what I want

I saw a modern version of one of these recently...

http://www.kifaru.net/fieldchair.html

Never tried one, I hasten to add, just found it whilst trawling through the internet.

I wonder how they keep the sides from being floppy. My guess would be they hemmed the sides and shaped the top a bit like you would a hammock. I tried just thowing a strap on a mat to see what it would do, and it made for floppy sides. It still worked, but maybe if I shaped my top like they did theirs it would fix that.

maybe you could taper the foot-end of your mat, put the strap on the foot end, and just flip it around when you want to willow-chair it up!

I think this is the chair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH6yqDFGRqI

They were developed by Indians hundreds of years ago, along with parfleche containers for tipi storage and fully beaded or quilled cradle boards. Simple, functional works of art.

Been biting my tongue for a coupla weeks on this one, but, here comes a really moronic statement

I wasn't aware Native Americans had lawns that far back. I know Fred Flinstone had a dino-mower.

Next we need a fire water holder !

I think you could make a hanging chair from 1.9 or lighter ripstop nylon and use ultralight cord. A rectangle with 4 tie points which could be tied seperatly or together, using sticks, depending on the branch. Could use your pad for extra comfort.

I think you could make a hanging chair from 1.9 or lighter ripstop nylon and use ultralight cord. A rectangle with 4 tie points which could be tied seperatly or together, using sticks, depending on the branch. Could use your pad for extra comfort.
I like that, it would be so much easier modifying a rainfly for my pack that converts to a chair and then lay my pad on it. Thanx a bunch that was a great idea.

Been biting my tongue for a coupla weeks on this one, but, here comes a really moronic statement

I wasn't aware Native Americans had lawns that far back. I know Fred Flinstone had a dino-mower.

Yes they did and large ones at that. Prairie grass was plentiful and their animals grazed on it to keep it at a "lawn" length. Their lawns were at the edge of the woodlands. Their base camps were within the woods. When they traveled they took their lawn chairs with and used the grazed buffalo lawns. Fire was also used to create lawns in the spring time. Fred Flintstove was quite a DIY guy:)

Yes they did and large ones at that. Prairie grass was plentiful and their animals grazed on it to keep it at a "lawn" length. Their lawns were at the edge of the woodlands. Their base camps were within the woods. When they traveled they took their lawn chairs with and used the grazed buffalo lawns. Fire was also used to create lawns in the spring time. Fred Flintstove was quite a DIY guy:)
I guess you are right.

If you have not been to a Native PowWow I recommend attending one. There are several different dances, from traditional to modern. One, called the "Grass Dance" is performed by men. They circle the drum, stomping the ground and spinning in circular motions.

It was explained when a new camp was to be made on the prairie the men performed this dance to lay the grass down flat, preparing the site for their village.