View the ASL Translation of this ad here!

The focus of this course will be an introduction of the roles, responsibilities, and ethics of Interpreters working in indigenous settings. Essential to this focus will be discussions and an overview of historical and current practices of working with indigenous Deaf consumers, related to interpreting land acknowledgments, interpreting in tribal communities, and an introduction to typical interpreting practices and the use of specialized signs with indigenous Deaf consumers.  Participants will have opportunities in assessing their current level of skills, and developing skills needed for interpreting in tribal/communal settings.

Educational Objectives:

1.  Participants will learn the importance of land acknowledgments and how to sign land acknowledgments with various tribal/communal settings.

2. Participants will discuss current roles, responsibilities, and ethics related to indigenous interpreting and team interpreting with indigenous community interpreters.

3. Participants will describe at least three major areas of emphasis and typical interpreting methods in various tribal/communal settings.

4. Participants will discuss and practice specialized signs used in various tribal/communal settings.

5. Participants will also research a variety of organizations that represent Indigenous Deaf groups, further developing their individual resources and networking with indigenous agencies.

6. Participants will analyze and critically evaluate the representation of Indigenous experiences in selected films and documentaries, identifying elements of power, privilege, and oppression. They will explore how these media portrayals reflect historical and contemporary society dynamics, fostering a deeper understanding of the impact of colonialism and systemic inequalities on how they might impact Indigenous interpreters in their own communities.

7. Participants will engage with documentaries and films that highlight Indigenous voices and narratives, aiming to cultivate empathy and awareness of the social injustices faced by Indigenous populations through participating in live Zoom discussions and sharing their reflective understandings.

8. Participants will articulate how media can be a tool for advocacy and change, proposing ways to support Indigenous Interpreters rights in their own communities.

Diversity Academy for Interpreters is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This Professional Studies program is offered for 1.0 CEUs at the Little/None Content Knowledge Level.

Diversity Academy promotes and supports policies of non-discrimination and an environment that is mutually respectful and free from bias. 

Requests for accommodations must be submitted to [email protected]. 

The proceeds from this course will be used to compensate diverse Deaf People of Color presenters and BIPOC facilitators in Diversity Academy.

Our courses are available to Diversity Academy members for $50 or to non-members for $75.

Presenter:

Angela Blackdeer, the visionary founder and CEO of Verto, is at the forefront of transforming the landscape of interpreting services. With a rich background as a nationally certified sign language interpreter and the recipient of the 2012 Interpreter of the Year award, Angela brings unparalleled passion and dedication to her role. At Verto, Angela has pioneered groundbreaking products such as LingoForce, an open API platform, and VoSee, an innovative app connecting those needing American Sign Language interpreters in unique ways using AI filtering processes. Her commitment goes beyond business – it's about reshaping health outcomes in underserved populations and supporting specialized interpreters through ingenious solutions and strategic interpreter scheduling.

A Summa Cum Laude graduate in Special Education and Rehabilitation from the University of Arizona, Angela also holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from St. Catherine University. Her academic achievements mirror her professional success, underlining her commitment to excellence.

Her transformative leadership style sets Angela apart, inspiring teams to innovate and strive towards a shared vision. As a respected figure in both the interpreting and business communities, she has forged personal connections nationwide, understanding the intricate challenges faced by interpreters, the Deaf community, businesses, and senior health systems leadership teams. Angela's tenacity and collaborative spirit are deeply rooted in her Native American Dakotah values. Through her leadership at Verto, she has assembled a dynamic team that offers a 360-degree view of the complex needs of the interpreting industry. According to Angela, supported interpreters translate into improved patient access and outcomes, reflecting her unwavering commitment to making a meaningful impact on healthcare accessibility and better interpreting services as a whole. Wicohan, mitakuyeowas'iƞ

Sarah A. Young Bear-Brown -  Her Meskwaki name is tti-ka-mi-ge-a. She is a member of the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in lowa-the Meskwaki Nation. She is a mom to two kids, an ASL storyteller, a Deaf interpreter, and a motivational speaker. Sarah attended lowa School for the Deaf and United Tribes Technical College. She proudly represents two different worlds, as a Meskwaki and a Deaf woman. Sarah has been creating beadwork for over twenty years and owns a small business called SAYBB Creations Beadwork. She comes from a family of beadworkers and follows her mother, Mary Young Bear's path as a fifth-generation beadwork artist.

Diversity Academy for Interpreters is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This  Professional Studies program is offered for 1.0 CEUs at the Little/None Content Knowledge Level.

Diversity Academy promotes and supports policies of non-discrimination and an environment that is mutually respectful and free from bias.

Requests for accommodations must be submitted to [email protected]. 

Cancellation Policy: 

In the event that this course has to be canceled, we will notify you within 48 hours. We will provide an alternative course date. 

Should you decide that any of these courses are not for you, you may cancel with a full refund before the first meeting. Once the course begins, you may request a course credit, upon review of reason for dropping the course.