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June 10, 2009
Hearing Impaired Couple Perform At Red Earth
More than 1,200 Native American artists and dancers, from all over the U.S., gathered at the 23rd annual Red Earth Festival. Celebrating American Indian culture and hertiage, the festival began this morning with a grand parade. Then followed with children's activities and dance performances.
For the first time, this year's festival featured two hearing impaired dancers. Jordan Watson comes from Canada and Samuel Phillips is from California. They're a couple who arrived here in Oklahoma to meet again.
Talking Hands Deaf Club's Patty Wilson interpreted Watson and Phillips sign language.
Wilson interpreted from Watson,"I have not seen him for a long, long time and I miss him so much and I wanted to meet him and we wanted to dance."
Wilson interpreted from Phillips,"I came here because she's my only girlfriend I have. I have no other and I'm able to see her."
Wilson has volunteered at the Red Earth Festival for about 15 years. She said she has never met a hearing impaired performer throughout her experience.
"Oh my gosh! It just gives me goosebumps all over, because I was in the arena today and they walked over to me and they said, 'Hey, we're deaf and we're dancers.' I was so excited, because they were excited. They were asking me all kinds of questions.
Now that Watson and Phillips have reunited, they're enjoying their time dancing together. They feel that dance is the best way to demonstrate their cultural pride.
http://www.ksbitv.com/news/47070667.html
Posted by 4HL on June 10, 2009 12:32 PM
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