Native AmericanCultureand Sign Language

A Comparison of Similarities and Differences

AmericanDeaf 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?

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

AmericanDeaf

Born deaf or acquired deafness (pathological)

Deaf Culture 2006

NativeAmerican

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

AmericanDeaf

Considers deafness as a positive trait

Deaf Culture 2006

NativeAmerican

Considers bloodline as a positive trait

Loyalty to the community group is essential

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

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 sharethe 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 ValueStorytelling

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 ValueStory 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 ShahenASL 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 PicnicApril 22, 2006

North Park’s Sesqui ShelterTickets: $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 ValueStorytellingThe Dance

Deaf Culture 2006

Both Cultures ValueStory TellingThe Dance

Deaf Culture 2006

Both Cultures ValueStory TellingThe Dance

Deaf Culture 2006

Both Cultures ValueStory TellingThe Dance

Deaf Culture 2006

Conclusion

May we embrace the thingsthat we share as they bring us together

as sisters and brothers.

May we rejoice in our differencesas they will strengthen our spirit for

many generations to come.

Deaf Culture 2006