Cree Language Resources

Explore the origins, history and links to organizations to learn more about the Cree culture.

The Cree language is part of the Algonquian language family and includes several dialects. There are five primary dialects of Cree: Plains Cree (Western), Woodlands Cree (Northern), Swampy Cree (Central), Moose Cree, and Eastern Cree.

According to the 2021 census, 86,475 individuals reported that they speak Cree, while 356,655 people identified as having Cree ancestry. In Canada, more than 350,000 people are either Cree or have Cree heritage. A large number of these individuals are located north and west of Lake Superior, across the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. Additionally, around 27,000 Cree people live in Quebec.

An sample of the different dialects is where the Plains Cree use the letter “y” in some words, the Woods Cree would use the letters “th” and the Swampy Cree would use “n.” E.g. The Plains Cree, speakers of the y dialect, refer to their language as nēhiyawēwin, whereas Woods Cree speakers say nīhithawīwin, and Swampy Cree speakers say nēhinawēwin. (Sources: Canadian Encyclopedia and Wikipedia Cree Language.)

The Plains Cree, the largest dialect numbers at over 34,000, and are mostly found in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta in Canada, and Montana in the United States.

paskwawi-mostos (Paskwāwimostos) (Paskwa mostos) (Prairie Cow=Buffalo=Bison)

Cree Literacy Network

The Cree Literacy Network was created in 2010 to promote Cree language and cultural literacy, in oral form, and through literacy materials (in Cree and English) that use Standard Roman Orthography.

CREE LITEARCY SONGS FOR KIDS

Nehiyawewin.ca

The purpose of this site is to assist in the preservation of Nêhiyawêwin (Cree y dialect) and Nêhiyaw culture. Nehiyawewin.ca is a collaborative initiative between the authors, speakers, teachers, singers etc. who graciously offered their materials and services which make up our resources.