Blackfeet Listening by Donal Carbaugh
Growing up I was always intrigued by the wood cravings that my grandfather had in his home. My grandfather informed me that he learned the skill of wood carving from his father, who was taught by his father, a skill that was passed down through the generations. My grandfather also enlightened me on part of our family culture. We are part Native American, Blackfoot tribe to be specific. Naturally, when I saw the title of this article I was curious and reminded of my grandfather. What is Blackfeet listening? Do Blackfeet people listen differently from other people? The perception, the physiological factors that influence our views of the world (Adler and Proctor 104), I had was that Blackfoot people and my grandfather listen just the same as anyone else. Carbaugh sets out to educate on the deeply significant form of communication used among the Blackfeet people; silent reflection and nonverbal listening. This form of communication offers a “complex message about communication itself.” By learning this form of …show more content…
There was a forest by our home and whenever I would need some time to think, get away from my brother, or any other problems that I was facing, I would always to go the forest. There was a tree there that I loved to sit under, and I spent hours sitting under the tree having picnic lunches, reading or just sitting quietly. Climbing in the branches or building a blanket fort, that tree was my tree, it was my special place. Reflecting on my time spent under that tree, was I Blackfeet listening and I didn’t even know it? When I would truly listen to the sounds around me, I would hear the birds singing in the forest, the crickets chirping or the wind rustling the leaves of the tree. Was the forest talking to me? According to Two Bears, Blackfeet listening can be done Just about anywhere where sitting and listening can be done.” (Carbaugh