Below is a listing of selected Indian sign that I put together begining with my own name in Indian sign. This ancient form of communication is one that should be treasured and practiced among our peoples and should never be forgotten, as it is indeed a gift from he whom made the stars. -Enjoy!

 Antelope. Conception : Pronged horn of animal. Bring the hands, palms toward and alongside of the head near base of the head index fingers and thumbs extended and spread, other finger's closed, index fingers pointing about upwards ; move the hands by wrist action parallel to head from rear to front, repeating motion, Some tribes do not move hands.

 Apache (Indians): Hold the left hand, back top, in front of the left breast, index finger extended and pointing to front, others and thumb closed ; bring the right hand back outwards, index finger extended, others and thumb closed near left, side of right index resting back of left near second joint ; move the right hand inwards outwards, mostly by wrist action, side of the index finger of right hand rubbing against back of left , repeat motion.

 Apparel. Pass the palmer surface of spread thumbs and index fingers over and near the surface of the body, or such portion as may be necessary to explain the particular clothing which is being described.

 Arapahoe: Bring the extended index finger of right band back to rear, alongside of and touching nose, index pointing upwards, others and thumb closed ;raise and lower the hand two or three times ; frequently index is, held near but does not touch the nose.

 Arickaree (Indian). Conception : Cornshellers, Bring the closed left hand, back to left in front of body, thumb extended and resting on index finger; bring right hand, back to front, fingers closed, thumb partially extended alongside of left, placing the ball of thumb or right hand at back of left thumb near it's base; twist the right hand by wrist action to the right and downwards, keeping the right thumb pressed against base of left until in its movement it slips off with rather a snap against the index finger of right hand. Repeat motion.

 Arrow. Conception: Drawing arrow from left hand. Bring left hand, back down, and inclined a little to the left and front - i.e. little finger a trifle lower than index-well out in front of left breast, fingers touching and partially curved, thumb curved, forming with index finger nearly a complete circle, space of about an inch between tip of index and thumb, left forearm pointing to right and front; place the extended index finger of right hand back outwards, and to right, in the center of the circle formed by thumb and index, other fingers and thumb closed; the index of right hand held parallel to plam of left hand, draw the right hand to right and rear, keeping index finger on line of prolongation of it's first posistion.

 Ashamed. Conception: Drawing blanket over face. Bring both hands, backs outwards, fingers extended, touching and pointing upwards, in front of face, few inches from it, right opposite right, and left opposite left cheek; move the right hand to left, left hand to right, mostly by wrist action, keeping hands nearly parallel to face, and right nearest to it, terminating movement when wrists are crossed.

 Assinaboine : Usually same as Sioux.

 Astonish. Bring the palm of left hand over mouth, and draw the body backwards; the manner and expression denote the degree. This gesture is also used to denote great suprise, mingled with great pleasure, or intense disappointment.

 Avoid. Hold the hands in front of shoulders, index fingers extended and pointing upwards, others and thumb closed, back of right hand to right, left to left, hands at same height; move the hands towards each other, and when near carry the left outwards, and right nearer body as the hands pass. (Indicates an effort made to go around or pass by.)

 Bad. Conception: Suddenly thrown away. Hold both closed hands, back up, in front of body, hands at same height and equidistant from body; move the hands outwards, downwards, and simultaneously open them with a partial snap, terminating the movement with the fingers extended and seperated. This is sometimes used with just one hand.

 Bannock: Same as Shoshone.

 Blackfeet: Point to something black, and then spread out both left and right hands and spread them over the feet of both right and left feet with fingers open so as to denote a covering. This is the same sign for Mocassin.

 Bless You. Raise both hands, palm outwards, to front and upwards, arms fully extended, hands raised towards person, fingers extended touching, and pointing upwards; lower hands several inches, at the same time pushing them outwards slightly towards the person, repeat motion. Sometimes the palms of hands are first held towards the sun, and then towards the earth, and then above thus asking the blessing of the Father and Mother of all life and power to rest upon the person being blessed.

 Bow. Conception: Bending bow to shoot. Bring left hand, back to left, well out in front and little to left of body, left forearm nearly horizontal, hand about the height of left breast; close the fingers except index; place the extended thumb on second finger, press the index finger around end and sides of thumb; carry the second closed right hand, back nearly upwards, thumb extended, and pressing against second joint of index finger, so back of second joint of this finger shall rest against back of thumb on left hand; then draw the right hand little to right and well to rear, very slightly upwards.

 Brave. Hold firmly closed left hand about eight inches in front of center of body, left forearm horizontal and pointing to right and front, back of left hand verticle and on line of prolongation of forearm; bring the frimly-closed right hand some six inches about and a little in front of left hand, back to right and front and on line of forearm; strike downwards with right hand, mostly by elbow action, the second joints of right hand passing close to and about on a line with knuckles of left hand.

 Buffalo. Conception: Horns of Buffalo. Bring the hands, palms towards and close to sides of head, index fingers partially curved, others and thumbs closed; raise the hands slightly and carry them a little to the front.

 Caddo: Same as Nez Perce.

 Camas. Conception: Curved stick used in digging the root. Partially curve the index finger of right hand, others and thumb closed, and make motion downwards, as though thrusting stick in the ground. This sign is also used to descirbe whom the white men called "Digger Indians"

 Cheyenne: Hold the left hand, back upwards and slightly to left, in front of left breast, index finger extended horizontal and pointing to the front, others and thumb closed; bring the right hand, back outwards, opposite and little above. left, index finger extended horizontally and pointing to left, others and thumb closed, right index pointing, to left and upwards, its second joint above left index lower right hand so that right index rests on left, and then draw the right hand briskly to right and downwards; repeat motion two or three times, sometimes moving right hand after each movement towards body, as though slashing wrist and arm.

 Chief. Conception : Elevated ; rising above others and looking down at them, Hold right hand back to right, index finger extended and pointing upwards, others and thumb closed, in front of, higher than, and little to right of right shoulder (hand about on line with front of face) raise the hand sorne little distance higher than head, and as hand is being raised, carry it over in front of face; when hand reaches highest point, turn index finger so as to bring it verticle pointing downwards. The index finger is raised, turned and lowered about as an arrow fired straight up in the air would go.

 Comanche. Conception : Snake. Hold the right hand, back up well to front of body opposite right shoulder and height of waist, index finger extended pointing to front, others and thumb closed; draw the hand to rear, and by wrist action give a vibratory or sinuous motion to index finger. The Southern Indians., draw the hand to the rear, while in the North they push it to front to denote a Snake, or Comanche,

 Council, Conception : Sitting in a circle and talking, Bring the closed hands, backs outwards, well out in front of body, a little lower than shoulders, lower edges of hands touching; move the hands simultaneouslv on a curve towards the bodv having, them-meet close to it, hand forming in movement as nearly as possible a horizontal circle; Turn the hands as they are, brought on circle towards body, so that when thev meet the backs will be towards the body ( the hands can also also start in the last position describing a horizontal circle and meet well out in front of body in position first taken above) ; then hold both hands, backs down, fingers extended, touching, and pointing to from in same horizontal plane, well out in front of body, hands about six inches apart and about height of breast; Move the hands, mostly by wrist action, simultaneously a, few inches to left, Then return to original position, and then rnove them few inches to Right; carry them backwards and forwards in this way two or three times; this represents the handing, of the words from one to another.

 Count Coup. Conception: Striking an enemy. Hold left hand, back to left and outwards, in front of body, index finger extended and pointing to front and right, others and thumb closed; bring right hand, back to right and front, just in rear of left and little lower, index finger extended, pointing downwards to the left, right index under left, other fingers and thumb closed; raise right hand and turn it by wrist action so that end of right index strikes sharply against side of left as it passes.

 Crow (Indian). Bring extend hands, backs nearly up, in front, a little higher than and slightly to right and left of shoulders; move the hands simultaneously a little downwards, slightly outwards and a triffle to right and left, indicating motion of wings.

 Dance. Conception: Hopping action. Bring the hands in front of body about height of breast, with lower edges horizontal and pointing to front, palms towards each other, about six inches apart, right hand slightly higher than left, lower edge of same about on a line with center of left palm, fingers slightly curved and little seperated, thumbs extended and pointing about upwards; move the hands briskly upwards and downwards a few inches several times, mostly by elbow action.

 Distant. Bring right hand, back to right, in front of right breast, and little lower than shoulder, fingers curved and touching, ball of thumb resting on side of index, hand close to body; push the hand to front, raising it slightly. Very distant would be represented by extending arm to full length.

 Earth. Point with right index finger to the ground.

 Father. Tap right breast with tips of fingers two or three times.

 Female. Conception: Hair falling loose on each side of head. Bring both hands, palms towards, close to, and parallel to sides of head, fingers extended, touching, and pointing upwards, tips about on a line with top of head; lower the hands, at same time curving fingers as though combing with them the hair down over the ears and cheeks.

 Finished. Bring the closed hands in front of body, thumbs up, backs of hands nearly outwards, second joints of fingers touching; seperate hands several inches, moving right to right, left to left.

 Fire. Conception: Blaze. Carry the right hand, back down, in front of body, and well down, arm nearly extended, fingers partially closed, palmar surface of thumb resting on nails of first three fingers; raise the hand slightly and snap the fingers upwards, seperating them. Repeat motion.

 Flathead: Press the upper part of forehead and head with palms of hands, fingers extended and touching, tips of fingers touching above head.

 Friend. Link both index fingers on right and left hands and raise above head.

 Good. Conception: Level with the heart. Hold the extended right hand, back up, in front of and close to left breast, fingers extended touching and pointing to the left, index finger usually rests on the breast; move hand briskly; well out to front and right keeping it horizontal.

 Heart. Bring the compressed right hand, fingers slightly curved, so that tip of thumb is near tips of fingers, against left breast, index finger and thumb resting over heart and pointing downwards.

 Heaven. Point upwards with right index.

 Horse. Hold the right hand back nearly outwards, well in front of left breast, fingers extended, touching and pointing to left hand a trifle bent at knuckles; move the hand horizontally to right and a little to front, terminating movement when hand is about opposite right shoulder.

 Kiowa: Hold the right hand back nearly down, in front of right breast, about height of and near shoulder, fingers touching and slightly curved, lower edge of hand pointing to left and front; by wrist action give a rotary motion to hand, keeping palm up finger tips describing an ellipse. Some tribes hold the hand near right cheek.

 Little. Hold right hand in front of body, about height of shoulder, back nearly to right, end of thumb pressing against inner surface of index, so that only about the end on index is seen beyond thumbnail, other fingers closed.

 Man. Conception: Organ of generation. Hold the right hand back nearly up, in front of center of body, index finger extended, pointing to front and upwards, other fingers and thumb closed.

 Mandan. Conception: Tattooing chin and lower sides of the face. Partially compress right hand, bringing tip of thumb near tips of fingers and tap the chin and lower parts of the face several times with tips of thumb and fingers.

 Many. Hold the hands well in front, and to right and left of body, fingers slightly curved, seperated, and pointing about to front, back of right hand to right, left to left; move the hands towards each other on verticle curve downwards; move them slightly upwards, and though grasping hands, terminating full movement when hands are a few inches apart and opposite each other.

 Medicine. Hold right hand in front of and close to forehead, palm outwards, index and second finger extended, seperated, and pointing upwards, others and thumb closed; move the hand upwards at same time, by wrist action, turn the hand from right to left, so that tips of extended fingers will describe a spiral curve.

 Mother. Tap left breast with tips of fingers two or three times.

 Navajo. Make sign for Blanket: Bring the closed hands palms towards each other, opposite and near each shoulder; move the right hand to left, left to right, terminating movement when wrists are crossed, right hand nearest body. Then Make sign for Striped: Hold left arm horizontal pointing front with fingers curved, and then draw palm of extended right hand from left to right across the left forearm in different places.

 Nez Perce: Hold right hand, back to right, in front of right cheek and close to it, index finger extended and pointing to left, its tip little to right of and little lower than nose, other fingers and thumb closed; move the hand to left, back of index passing under and close to nose.

 No. Hold extended right hand, back up, in front of body, fingers pointing to left and front; move the hand to right and front, at same time turning hand, thumb up, so that back of hand will be to right and downwards; the hand is swept into its posistion on a curve.

 Osage. Conception: Shaved Heads. Bring backs of extended hands, fingers pointing to rear and slightly upwards, along side of head, move hands downwards, as though cutting hair with lower edges of hands; repeat motion. This sign is also used for Sac & Fox and other tribes that shaved the head and wore scalp locks like the Cherokee and others.

 Pawnee. Conception: Wolf. Hold right hand, palm outwards, in front of, little higher than, and close to right shoulder, fist and second fingers extended in the "V" sign pointing upwards and slightly to front, other fingers and thumb closed; carry hand slightly upwards and to front, and bend the hand down slightly so that fingers point nearly to front.

 Peace: Clasp the hands in front of body, usually back of left down.

 Pipe. Conception: From manner of smoking. Bring hands backs down, in front of neck, left hand about height of chin and few inches from it. right in front of left several inches and a little lower, index fingers curved, others and thumbs closed; move the hands simultaneously to front and downwards few inches; repeat motion.

 Ponca: Make sign for Arapahoe or Osage.

 Pueblo: combination of Mexican which is making a sign for a bearded chin and Navajo.

 Red: Conception: Paint used on the face. Rub the right cheek with palmar surface of the first joints of fingers of right hand, fingers extended, touching, pointing upwards; circular motion of hand.

 River. Conception: Water flowing or moving. Make sign for WATER; then from this posistion carry hand little to left of face, close to it, and height of neck, index finger extended and pointing to left, other fingers and thumb closed; move the hand to right until about opposite right shoulder, keeping index horizontal. This means any stream of water.

 Sac: Make sign for shaved head as in Osage sign.

 Sad. Conception: Heart laid on the ground. make sign for HEART, and then sweep the hand from this posistion to the right, front and downwards, turning palm up, and partially compressing the hand, as though the heart were physically laid on the ground.

 Sage. Conception: Growth of bushes in bunches. Hold compressed right hand, bringing tip of thumb and tips of fingers near each other, in front of right shoulder, height of breast, back of hand down, fingers pointing upwards; move the hand to front, right and downwards; then resume first posistion and lower it in another place.

 Scout. Make sign for Wolf.

 See. Bring right hand, back up, well in front of lower part of face, first and second fingers extended, seperated, and pointing to front, other fingers and thumb closed. The hand can, of course be held a little to the left or right of body, and fingers should point in the direction one is looking.

 Shoshone: Hold the right hand, back to right, in front of right shoulder at about height of waist and near it, fist and second fingers extended, touching and pointing to front, others and thumb closed; move the hand several inches to the front and by wrist action give a wavy motion, sometimes this sign is used with just one finger.

 Sioux. Conception: Cutting off heads. Hold right hand, back up , in front of left shoulder, height of throat, index finger extended and pointing to left, other fingers and thumb closed; move the hand horizontally to right, index passing near throat. Sometimes whole hand is used.

 Smoke. (To smoke a pipe) Hold closed left hand, back to left, in front of body; bring palm of extended right hand about three inches over left hand, and strike with the palm left index and thumb two or three times. This means to fill the pipe.

 Tepee. Bring tips of extended index fingers together, forming an angle; tips of fingers about height of breast and several inches from it, other fingers and thumbs closed, black of right hand up and to right, left hand back up and to the left, index are verticle.

 Tobacco. Hold extended left hand, back down, in front of body; place the lower edge of closed right hand on left palm; rub with the lower edge the left palm by giving circular movement to right hand.

 Tomahawk. Hold left forearm in front of body, pointing upwards and to right, and lay the extended right hand on the hollow of the left arm.

 Trade. Hold hands in front of shoulder, back of right to right, left to left, index fingers extended, and pointing to the front and upwards, other fingers and thumb closed; move the right hand to left and downwards on a curve, left to right and downwards on curve, right hand passing above but close to left; terminate movement when wrists are crossed.

 Ute: Point to something black and make sign for Red.

 Water. Conception: Drinking out of palm of hand. Hold partially compressed right hand, back down in front of, close to, and little above mouth, fingers pointing to left and upwards; move the hand downwards, turning palm toward mouth.

 War. Conception: Going on the war path. Hold right hand, back nearly to front, in front of and close to right breast, index and thumb spread, index finger pointing to left, thumb upwards, other fingers closed; move hand well out to front and slightly upwards or to right or left.

 White Man. Conception: Hat or cap. Hold right hand, back up and to right, in front of, close to, and a little to left of face, index finger extended pointing to left, others and thumb closed. Draw the hand to right, index finger passing horizontally in front, close to, and opposite eyes.

 Wichita. Conception: Tatooed rings. Hold right hand, back outwards and to left, in front of and to right of lower part of face, index finger extended and pointing towards face, other fingers and thumb closed; by wrist action swing hand so that tip od index will describe a curve, the diameter of which shall be about six inches. The hand is held loosely at wrist.

 Wise. Make sign for heart; touch forehead, and make sign for good. (Heart & head both good)

 Wolf. Hold the right hand, palm out, near right shoulder, first and second fingers extended, spererated, and pointing upwards, others and thumb closed; move the hand several inches to front and slightly upwards, turning hand a little, so that extended fingers point to front and upwards. Sometimes both hands are used, left being similarly fixed to right, and held opposite left shoulder.

 Yes. Conception: Bowing the head and body. Hold right hand, back to right, in front of right breast, height of shoulder, index finger extended and pointing upwards, other fingers nearly closed, thumb resting on side of second finger; move the hand slightly to left and a little downwards, at the same time closing index over thumb.