“Plains Indian Sign Language: How Exhibiting Communication and Native Trade Can Highlight Museum Accessibility and Interactivity”

PISL was a trade language developed by Native tribes in North America to facilitate trade and inter-tribal communication. Brent Kennedy's presentation will use a hypothetical fully-interactive exhibit on PISL to both explain what it was and how it operated, as well as what it can offer curators and supervisors when considering current best practices and policies such as the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Brent Kennedy is a graduate of Wichita State University. He holds degrees in anthropology, sociology, gender studies, ethnic studies, and certifications in museum studies and visual communication. His work has included plains and Caribbean archaeology, visual anthropology, and Native history. He is currently an adjunct instructor of Anthropology at the WSU Maize Campus.

As always juice, a continental breakfast, and coffee, generously provided by The Spice Merchant - Wichita’s Original Gourmet Coffee Roaster, are included!

Discounted admission: $4 per person! Members are free!