From Reginald & Gladys Laubin's
The Indian Tipi (1977 edition):
"To tie the poles as Scarlet Whirlwind did, start as in the detailed drawing, with a clove hitch. Leave several feet of rope and wrap it around three or four times and then finish with two half-hitches. This tie rope should be of good-quality half-inch Manilla about 45 feet in length."
Obviously you may choose to use a synthetic rope, or whatever you have to hand.