Literacy, Wampums, the gud(schwa)buk, and How Indians in the Far Northeast Read

Many American Indian communities have been reported to show little enthusiasm for native literacy but great support for retaining traditional forms of oral communication. Evidence from several historical sources indicates that the Algonquian peoples of the far northeast have a persistent & pervasive tradition of oratory associated with various systems of mnemonic aids used to ensure accuracy in the recitation of sacred texts. These mnemonic devices serve as catalysts for accurate recitation rather than as visual representation of speech. The proposition that words, sentences, & sounds can be represented by sequences of graphic signs meets resistance because the use of graphic symbols as catalysts for speech already has a long history. Evidence indicates that native language literacy represents a threat to the vitality of the oral tradition. 16 References. Modified HA