14. Must be able to converse using Plains Indians hand talk. The 200 words on page 64 of Tompkin’s book “Indian Sign Language”, will be used as a basis for conversation. To complete this requirement, you must demonstrate your ability to read the signs for 50 words, as well as to give the signs for 50 words.

This requirement is optional for advancement to Bossloper and mandatory for the Hiveranno degree.

Dennis R. Leonard with Todd Glover and Gene Hickman have compiled a book of signs that is in common use now. It compliments and expands on Tompkin’s book.

It is my goal to become fluent enough to carry on a conversation in sign language. I don’t want to cram at a rendezvous and put all of these signs into my short-term memory, only to have them fade away before I can make real use of them. I think a person should speak the words while making the sign. This would help beginners to learn the signs and help learn another language if conversing with a different language speaker.