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Carter County - Plains Indian Sign Language

Background Info / Historical Story

In 1930 there was a three day council held in order to discuss and document Plains Indian Sign Language. Leaders from 12 tribes came together at the behest of Hugh L. Scott, a U.S. Army General who sought to catalog the Plains Indian Sign Language. Despite speaking different languages, they all understood “Hand Talk”. Parts of the three day council were filmed and thankfully the nearly 100 year old footage is still available for viewing. Below are each leader’s introduction using sign language;

Dick Washakie, Tribe - Shoshone

  • “I arrived last night from far away over there. My father, Washakie, was a great chief of all the Shoshone. I am a Shoshone. I am here to tell you all I know. I will not tell you anything that is not true.”

Short Face, Tribe - Piegan

  • “I am a Piegan, I feel very glad. We used to fight all these people long ago. That is all over. Now we are smoking, eating, and living together in this lodge. Long ago, we used to fight each other all over this country. White man said, “Stop fighting.” We meet each other here, with white men, all brothers. We eat and smoke here together. It is very good, all of it.”

Bitterroot Jim, Tribe - Flathead

  • “They brought me here from the Flathead country, on the other side of the Rocky Mountains. I have never seen these people here before, and cannot understand their language. But they are all my brothers, we are all the same race.”

Night Shoots, Tribe - Piegan

  • “These people all use different languages. They are all my people. We meet here for three days. I am glad.”

Drags Wolf, Tribe - Lower Gros Ventre (Hidatsa)

  • “I have been brought to this Piegan country. I shake hands with all these people. I am glad to talk with these friends. I have finished.”

Iron Whip, Tribe - Sioux

  • “I am a Sioux. I have come from near Poplar Creek.” 

Deer Nose, Tribe - Crow

  • “I am a Crow. I have come from far away to Piegan country and have arrived. I have eaten until I am full up to the throat, and I feel good. I have finished.”

James Eagle, Tribe - Arickaree

  • “I come from the Mandan country. This is Piegan country. That is all.”

Foolish Woman, Tribe - Mandan

  • “I am Mandan, one of the Earth Lodge people. I have been sent for, I have come.”

Strange Owl, Tribe - Cheyenne

  • “ I am a Cheyenne. These people are all my brothers. We talk together. I love them all. That is all.”

Bird Rattler, Tribe - Blood

  • “I live with the Piegans. This is my ground. I am glad to see my far-away brothers. I look at them. We eat and smoke. That is all.”

Mountain Chief, Tribe - Blackfoot (Piegan)

  • “Oh my. Look here, look at me. This is my country. I know it. My heart is good. From far away off there, my brothers of different tribes have come. Good. We have been eating together. I am glad. That is all.”

Assinniboine [sic] Boy, Tribe - Upper Gros Ventre (Atséna)

  • “ I have come to the Piegan country in the Little Rocky Mountains. I am here to talk signs. I am through.”

Tom White Horse, Tribe - Arapahoe

  • “I have come from the Arapahoe country. White Horse is my name. I have come to talk signs with my Piegan friends.”

Rides Black Horse, Tribe - Assiniboine

  • “I am Assiniboine, from the Little Rocky Mountains. I have come to talk signs to the white man.”

Little Plume, Tribe - Piegan

  • This is my lodge and my country. These people have come from different directions. I am glad. That is all.

Fine Young Man, Tribe - Sarcee

  • Look here, I tell you something. I am Sarcee, from Calgary. Two of us have come to the Piegan country. We have arrived. I see them all here and feel happy. We smoke and eat. I am well. That is good.

Joe Big Plume, Tribe - Sarcee

  • I am the Sarcee from Calgary, Alberta. I have arrived. I see big men from other tribes. That is all.

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