Native American Culture and Sign Language A Comparison of Similarities and Differences American Deaf Culture and Sign Language Deaf Culture 2006

A group of people coming together to form a community around: Deaf Culture 2006  shared experience  shared interests  shared norms of behavior  shared survival techniques What is Culture?

A person’s membership: Deaf Culture 2006  is not determined by vote or election to the group by its members  is determined by each individual person’s election to embrace the core values of the group

Deaf Culture 2006 Similarities

American Deaf  Born deaf or acquired deafness (pathological) Deaf Culture 2006 Native American  Born into racial group (nationality)  Must decide for themselves to follow Deaf ways and customs  Must decide for themselves to follow tribal ways and customs  Deaf unity and community is strong  Native American tribal unity and community is strong

American Deaf  Considers deafness as a positive trait Deaf Culture 2006 Native American  Considers bloodline as a positive trait  Loyalty to the community group is essential  Deaf have a strong sense of pride in their heritage and community  Native Americans have a strong sense of pride in their heritage and society

Deaf Culture 2006 Both Deaf children and Native American children are cherished. They are the ones to whom the community can pass down the common beliefs and the core values of their society.

Deaf Culture 2006 Both Deaf children and Native American children are cherished. They are the ones to whom the community can pass down the common beliefs and the core values of their society.

Deaf Culture 2006 Both Deaf children and Native American children are cherished. They are the ones to whom the community can pass down the common beliefs and the core values of their society.

Deaf Culture 2006 Both Deaf children and Native American children are cherished. They are the ones to whom the community can pass down the common beliefs and the core values of their society.

Deaf Culture 2006 Both Deaf children and Native American children are cherished. They are the ones to whom the community can pass down the common beliefs and the core values of their society.

Deaf Culture 2006 Both Deaf children and Native American children are cherished. They are the ones to whom the community can pass down the common beliefs and the core values of their society.

Deaf Culture 2006 Differences

The major differences between Native American culture and Deaf American culture are essentially the same as those which separate the Deaf Community from the hearing majority. However, be aware that there is another minority sub-culture embedded within the Native American culture. Deaf Culture 2006 The Deaf Native Americans stand in a category of their own and share quite a few things in common with the American Deaf community.

American Deaf culture has aspects of everyday life that are necessarily different from the Native American hearing culture such as: Deaf Culture 2006  the use of a T.T.Y. or pager  alarm clocks with a flashing light or a unit that shakes the bed to get up in the morning  flashing lights for a door bell  flashing light to let parents know when their child is crying Differences  the use of a telephone or intercom system  alarm clocks that ring or buzz to wake up in the morning  door bell that buzzes or chimes  parents can hear their child cry Deaf Culture & Native American (Deaf) American Culture & Native American (hearing)

American Deaf Culture has attention-getting behaviors that conflict with the Native American hearing culture such as: Deaf Culture 2006  waving a hand, stomping a foot, or throwing something  turning a light off and then on again  pointing and staring at people is not considered rude  direct eye contact is insisted upon Differences  raising the voice or clearing your throat  shouting to be heard  pointing and staring at people is considered extremely rude  direct eye contact is very uncomfortable Deaf Culture & Native American (Deaf) American Culture & Native American (hearing)

Deaf Culture 2006 HELLO MY FRIEND Those who wish to identify with the core group must share the vital link of language. Deaf share American Sign Language (ASL) and Native Americans share the spoken language of the land of their residence. But Native Americans also share a Signed Language as well.

Plains Sign Language Deaf Culture 2006  The Plains people of North America included many different tribes, such as the Sioux, the Kiowa, the Cheyenne, and the Pawnee.  Each tribe had its own language or dialect, with many words and a complex grammar.

Plains Sign Language Deaf Culture 2006  The Plains tribes were largely nomadic. They didn't stay in one place too long.  Roaming the plains, they often encountered members of other tribes.  In order for these people to communicate, a simple sign language was developed that was understood by all.

Plains Sign Language Deaf Culture 2006  Such a silent language could also be useful within the tribe, as it was sometimes essential to be able to communicate without making noise.  It was especially useful when going on a hunt or during battle.  People who possessed this skill of speaking with the hands were highly valued among the people of all tribes and villages.

Plains Sign Language Deaf Culture 2006  In 1492 when Columbus first set foot on North American soil, over a million native Indians already lived in the area we now call the United States and Canada.  It has been well documented that the first form of communication the Indians used with the white man was gestures.

Deaf Culture 2006 Imagine yourself back in time a long time ago. You are a child sitting crosslegged near the central village fire. Firelight dances on the faces of those seated around you. Your eyes are wide with excitement! Your little heart pounds like thunder as the wise storyteller recounts stories of the heroic acts of courage and history. Through the careful weaving of these stories, the storyteller brings the past, present and future together. You observe. You learn. You remember. Both Cultures Value Storytelling

Deaf Culture 2006 BUT … Most Native American storytellers use the ORAL TRADITION which means every story is passed down to future generations using spoken language only. There is no written record. The Deaf use ASL SIGNS, CLASSIFIERS, and GESTURES which means every story is passed down to future generations by highly skilled persons using American Sign Language. The Deaf Community considers the use of the hands as sacred. Both Cultures Value Story Telling

Deaf Culture 2006 Storytelling Red Feather Woman Red Feather Woman shares her ancestral stories as told to her by her father and grandfather. Some of her inspirational stories tell of her own life experiences. Red Feather Woman has performed for thousands and has been labeled Master Storyteller. She gives hope for future generations. (SHE USES THE ORAL TRADITION)

Deaf Culture 2006 Storytelling Mj Shahen ASL Master Storyteller shares stories from the Deaf community handed down from many Deaf generations past. You can witness her awesome performance yourself when you join us for: The First Annual ASL Picnic April 22, 2006 North Park’s Sesqui Shelter Tickets: $5.00 (contact Dan Cook) (SHE USES THE ASL TRADITION)

Deaf Culture 2006 Some stories are told through dance. Stories of the hunt and of wars with the white man or other Indians are re-enacted by the tribal warriors who took part in the original action. It is a source of great pride to tell of ones adventures outside of the tribal village. Like the culturally Deaf in America, information sharing is a vital link to the outside world. Both Cultures Value Storytelling The Dance

Deaf Culture 2006 Both Cultures Value Story Telling The Dance

Deaf Culture 2006 Both Cultures Value Story Telling The Dance

Deaf Culture 2006 Both Cultures Value Story Telling The Dance

Deaf Culture 2006 Conclusion May we embrace the things that we share as they bring us together as sisters and brothers. May we rejoice in our differences as they will strengthen our spirit for many generations to come.

Deaf Culture 2006