An Aside on Sign Language

Language is essential to communication, for without communication, there can be no peace or understanding or coming to agreements. Unfortunately, in the Great Plains, and in other places, communication was hindered for lack of a common language. The Native Americans of the Plains, the Desert, and points north and south, spoke Sahaptian, Siouan, Muscogean, Tanoan, Algonquin, Athabascan, Caddo, Numic, Pueblo, Nahuetl, their own unique tribal language, or some dialect. When white men invaded or settled in their territories, they spoke English, French, Gaelic, German or Spanish. How could one tribe communicate with another for purposes of trade or peace (because war pretty much speaks for itself), or with white men, if they did not speak the same language? Even a talented translator can only do so much.

And so it was that Native American Sign Language was born, and from that came American Sign Language, which, since English is the lingua franca of the United States, is still used to "speak" to the deaf. There were many variations of Native American Sign Language, depending on the tribe, but for the most part, it helped at least 36 tribes communicate with each other and with white men. Given my limited computer skills, it would be impossible for me to include a sampling of sign language here.  Fortunately, there are many books on Native American Sign Language that are available on the Internet, as well as websites and videos. One such website is http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-indian/native-American-sign-language.htm