Willie LeClair, a respected member of the Eastern Shoshone tribe, made significant contributions to the preservation and revitalization of Plains Indian Sign Language (PISL), a vital form of communication among Native American tribes of the Great Plains. As a fluent practitioner and cultural ambassador, LeClair recognized the critical importance of keeping this endangered language alive, not only for its historical value but for the cultural integrity of the many tribes that once used it.
Plains Indian Sign Language (PISL) is an integral part of the cultural and linguistic heritage of many Native American tribes from the Great Plains. As a humanities pursuit, PISL holds significance for its ability to shed light on human communication, cultural exchange, and historical interactions.
PISL transcends spoken languages, offering a unique form of non-verbal communication that allowed for interactions among different tribes, including those who spoke distinct languages. This sign language, therefore, stands as a testament to the adaptability and complexity of human communication, key areas of study within the humanities. PISL is not only as a linguistic system but also as a cultural artifact that reveals social, political, and economic interactions across vast regions.
LeClair was a respected Eastern Shoshone Elder and former board member of Wyoming Humanities. He passed away in 2023.
LeClair’s efforts to preserve PISL centered around his active participation in educational outreach and cultural demonstrations. He often traveled to schools, libraries, museums, and cultural events, sharing his knowledge of PISL with both Native and non-Native audiences. His workshops and presentations highlighted how PISL functioned as a bridge language among diverse tribes, facilitating communication across linguistic divides. By teaching this language, he helped dispel misconceptions about Native American cultures, underscoring their diversity and sophisticated systems of communication.
LeClair’s work was crucial in passing PISL on to younger generations. He viewed the language as a living connection to the past, linking today’s Native peoples to their ancestors. His dedication to teaching young Native Americans ensured that this rich tradition of sign language did not disappear, contributing to a broader effort to revitalize indigenous languages and cultural practices.
Wyoming Humanities has recently launched a TravelStory tour of places of significance to the Eastern Shoshone and Wind River Reservation community. You can find it here. For each of the places, Willie tells stories about the places using Plains Indian Sign Language. Locations include Fort Washakie, South Pass, Fort Bridger, the gravesites of Sacajawea and Washakie, the several missions on Wind River Reservation.
As with many aspects of indigenous cultures, the study of PISL is intertwined with efforts to preserve and revitalize Native American cultural heritage. It offers insights into indigenous ways of knowing, storytelling, and meaning-making—core concerns of humanities disciplines like anthropology, history, and linguistics. Examining PISL is not just a linguistic endeavor but also a profound exploration of human culture and history.
We need your help to continue to preserve and celebrate indigenous languages. Please donate to Wyoming Humanities today.