The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-02-16
All American Indian Tribes Understood
Universal Sign Language of Red Men

Those people who a studied the
life and characteristics of the North
American Indian have learned that
signs made with the hands play an
important part in all conversation
carried on by Indians, whether they
belong to the same tribe or not.
Notwithstanding their limited vocab-
ulary, the spoken language of all In
dams is not the same, in fact in some
instances there is very little similarity.
Were it not for the silent language that
they used they would have had no
means of expression, yet. visiting In
dams of different tribes could carry on
quite an animated conversation with a
few grunts and much motion with the
hands.
The writer spent a number of years
in Oklahoma when it was known as In
dian Territory. where Uncle Sam had
segregated his Indians on reservations,
which he afterwards purchased from
the various tribes and opened up for
homestead settlement. reserving for
them only 100 acres each. These allot-
ments we're almost without exception
taken in a body, where the Indians es-
tablished their villages and have since
~endeavored to maintain their tribal re-
lationship. The Usage Indian Is one x
ception. His lands still comprise
huge county. He accepted his individ-
ual allotment, but the residue of the
land is held in severalty for the benefit
of the tribe, over which Uncle Sam ex-
ercises a protectorate. Rich oil develop
ment has made the Usage Indians the
richest nation in the world. That is,
they have more wealth per capita than
any other people as a whole.
With Indian tribes living in villages
two or three days travel apart, when
horses and horse-drawn vehicles were
the only means of travel. it was no I'M
common sight to witness a cavalcade
of Indians moving overland for a week
or ten days visit at some neighboring
Indian village. They usually brought
presents of ponies, blankets, calico and
other things equally priced by the In
dian.
Fol weeks prior to these excursions
the standard price paid for fat puppies
was 81 each, as roast dog and dog
soup played an important part in the
festivities, along with the stomp dance
which inevitably followed.
When you stop to consider that many
Of the numerous tribes Of plains In
dams gathered together in Oklahoma
who are on visiting terms with each
other, do not speak the same language,
yet understand each other perfectly,
you naturally wonder how they man
age. It is the silent language.
Two full-blood Indians of the same
tribe will use more signs in carrying
on a conversation than they will spoken
words. In Oklahoma there are Usage,
! Cherokee, Ponca. Iowa, Sauc and Fox,
Creeks, Snake, Seminole, Kiowa, Com
manchee and others. Some of these are
hereditary enemies; few Of them speak
the same language, yet all of them can
understand each other. How do they do
it? Here are some of the signs which
all plains Indians understand:
Poverty-Hold up the index finger of
the left hand and make successive mo-
lions on it with the forefinger of the
right hand, from the nail toward the
knuckles, in a manner to indicate shay
ing or pairing.
! Abundance--Extend both arcas in
front of body, with hands open, palms
facing towards the ground, then close
the hands, making a grasping motion
and raising the hands at the same
time, indicating hands full.
Small Quantity-Extend the open
left hand, thumb up, in front of the
body and move the edge of the open
right hand ~diagonally over it from
right to left.
Good Looking Face-Draw the inside
of the right hand down over the face,
and then make a quick motion with it
toward the front, edge OF hand outward
and palm down.
Ugly Face-Draw the inside Of the
right hand down over the face to near
the chin, and then quickly move it out
to the front as though casting some
thing away.
Friendship-Fold the two hands to-
gether, and with tightly interlocked
fingers in the manner as used by Chris
tians in the act of prayer, make a slight
quivering motion to express firmness.
Love-Put the two arms over the
breast in the shape of a Greek cross,
hands shut and palms toward the body.
Joy-Bring all the points of the fin
gers of the extended right hand to-
gether and place the hand palm up
ward and nails downward over the re-
gion Of the heart, and after holding it
there for a moment, elevate 1t over the
head and with fully opened fingers
fright edge to the 'front.' make a slight
%undulating motion.
Rubbed Out or Extinguished-Rub
the palms of the two hands together
with a circular motion.
Killed - Make a quick downward
movement with the shut right hand.
Life-Make a quick circular motion
with the extended index finger of the
hand vertically from right to left.
Night-Hold the left hand, fingers
Strengthened and back of the hand up,
in front of the body, then slowly pass
the extended right hand, palm down,
over the left, from right to left.
Day-Place the tips of the extended
fingers of both hands together and
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