The Fort Peck press., 1936-04-09

foot, bring spread thumb and finger from toe
to heel-"Blackfoot Indians" Good sign talk
ers spread finger and thumb from knee
down.
4. With open palm of right hand tap right
side of scalp tw~ice-"Flathead Indians"
S. Both hands closed, right in front and
above left, move both from left to right Gas
if padding a canoe with paddle)-"Canoe
Indians viz pronounced Pom du ray"
These were from the Kalispell tribe.
LESSON TEN
I have been reading Captain Clarks book
on signs. In his illustrations and descriptions
of the Indian sign language, in many in
stances, it is volumniouS and not to the
point in teaching students a quick knowledge
in acquiring proficiency in sign language.
In many instances his mode of describing
movements of hand and finger, differs from
mine. I taught him the first sign he ever
knew in 1876. He was appointed chief of
scouts, at Fort Laramie in 1876, and he was
chief in name only while he remained with
the army. Scouts reported to him, he being
on General Crooks staff.
/. Close three fingers and thumb of right
hand, index finger extended arms length
in front, horizontal. Move arm from right
to left, as pointing to a body of men. Crook
index finger d~ownwar and draw hand back
to body quickly-"Afraid of people or a man.
2. Put edge Of right hand to heart and
move hand up to throat-'Simply afraid"
8. Make sign afraid of people, then place
thumb in palm and throw back of hand over
to right with a graceful curve-'I am not
afraid"
a. Put edge of right hand to heart. close
both hands, left hand extended in front, both
hands closed, bring right hand down with
quick motion in front of left-"My heart is
strong, L am brave"
LESSON ELEVEN
Following is a conversation held with a
NeZ Perces Indian, in John d. LoSekamp'S
store in Billings, two weeks ago. Many lead
ing gentlemen and ladies were present, being
DESTROYS of having practical illustration of
indian sign 1a0p1apa nv two who pOT1d ron (
verse. The Indian was educated and spoke
%fluently; was UP to date in the In
dian sign language. We had been acquainted
a great many years, had been together in
the Big Horn fight against the Sioux in 1873.
l. where have you been?" Answer-'@To
Little Horn" Palm of both hands in front
palms facing each other, forearm vertical,
bring palms together right ard-'L
Thumb closed, bring palms over to rear each
of head in a curve to the front, palms
down fingers pointing outward to front-"Big
Little Big Horn
2. What did you go there for?" Move right
hand in front of person, then hold palm Of
arms length in front, palms facing
breast, bring heel of palm of right against I
lalm of left, then move palm in front Of
person twice in quick motion. Answer-"I
vent to meet Crows, Cheyennes and Sioux
Close three fingers and thumbs of both hands,
and index finger vertical, bring in
lex close together, ito meet" Both palms
down, move them up and down, initiating
wings of a goose when flying, Grows" Bring
ndeX finger of right hand across wrist Of
eft two or three times, "Cheyennes." Close
light hand, bring index from left to right
lcross throat, Sioux"
LESSON TWELVE
What did you do?"
Move right palm before -person-"what did
1ou'-both thumbs in palm, both hands held
n front breast high, right in front of left,
move hands forward with a quick, jerky mo-
ion three times-"Do."
Answer-"Held council with a few Chey-
nnes and Grow chiefs, in the lodge OF Chief
Sull Go Hunting"
Hands closed in front with index erect and
urved, initiate a buffalo horn, right index
rought in front MISUNDERSTANDING bull"
ndex and middle finger spread slightly apart,
love forward and move fingers slightly from
light to left-"hunting." Close hand, index
critical, move up two feet, then reverse
Chief Bull Go a Hunting"
Then in the sign language the Nez Perces
aid:
'Chief Bull Go a Hunting invited us into his
1dge, told us to sit down, and motioned me
D take a seat near him, as the guest of
onor."
Move hand in circle palm DOWNFALL OF
ou,' left hand in front, heart high, palm
own in front, right hand palm down, move
Ight under left with a curve. Close both
ands, index vertical, bring ends of index
myers together, breast high Godge)-"All
you come into my lodge"
When in the lodge Chief Bull Go a Hunt
lg moved his hand in circle around lodge
down." He motioned to me with index
niger vertical, bringing IL TO MIN (c0me)
len brought hand down to his right side
you sit down here by me-"
LESSON THIRTEEN
1 want all of our enterprising American
to memorize the GLOWING signs. 1t
expedite and shorten the knowledge of
the sign language. Note carefully
lie following. Many signs by hand in same
osition:
1. Close three fingers, thumb placed on first
int of middle finger, index, breast high,
ointing outward and brought down with
quick motion-'Yes.
2. Index, heart high, index bent under
outward motion and up-'That's So"
3. Index finger held arms length, breast
gh, Slightly to right with index finger hori-
'ntal, bring right hand toward left with a
motion, bringing the end of index
nger to the end of thumb-"Knowing such
be the case"
a. Bring right hand to left shoulder, index
'rizontal and bring the hand in a circular
otion in front and to right believe"
5. Index finger horizontal, place same on
Of left arm and touch arm three or
times, quick motion between wrist and
oow-"Al the time"
6. Bring index to chin, move outward arms
myth, index northumberland is true"
Z. Bend right arm at elbow, at angle OF
degrees, with the index finger pointing
left, then with a graceful movement, throwi