Workshop

American Indians, Alaska Natives and First Nations who are Deaf and hard of hearing face a myriad of challenges when it comes to communication access on or off tribal reservations. There is a severe shortage of interpreters who are proficient in Native American culture, and a lack of interpreters who come from indigenous populations. This workshop will explore cross-cultural implications of being both Deaf and Native American, tribal perspectives on ADA and the role of interpreters, and challenges of following the code of ethics when interpreting in spiritual or tribal activities. Some of the most common uses of American Indian Sign Language will also be shared during the presentation.