Wonderful news from Arok Wolvengrey and Cree Literacy Network Honorary Founder Jean Okimâsis. Her classic title is now available online for “open access” – which means everyone is welcome to download a copy for their own use. Thanks to the University of Regina Press for making this happen!
Cree: Language of the Plains / nēhiyawēwin: paskwāwi-pīkiskwēwin by Jean L. Okimāsis
University of Regina Press is pleased to announce the release of its updated Cree language resource package titled Cree: Language of the Plains / nēhiyawēwin: paskwāwi-pīkiskwēwin by Jean L. Okimāsis. Jean is a leading scholar in the preservation and teaching of the Cree language. At First Nations University of Canada—formerly Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC), Jean was a driving force behind the establishment of the Department of Indian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, for which she served as the first department head (1985-1988) and for a second term before her retirement from teaching (in 2002). She also contributed greatly to the creation of the first and only full degree programs in First Nations languages—Cree and Saulteaux (Ojibway)— in Canada. Cree: Language of the Plains was originally available from SIFC in many editions and printings through the 1980s and 1990s. Jean’s books and CDs are currently used in Cree language programs throughout western Canada.
Cree: Language of the Plains is a comprehensive introductory educational resource, offering a broad range of learning materials that is easily accessible to all Cree language learners, students and community alike regardless of their location of study. This collection includes an updated and redesigned Cree language textbook, Cree language audio labs, and a Cree language workbook. These materials have been published as open access resources, which allows users to download and share these materials with others in print and digital format for free. The audio labs are also being released as a podcast this fall.
“I am especially pleased that this work has been made available in the open access format, allowing those who wish to learn and/or reclaim nēhiyawēwin (Plains Cree) for themselves,” says Dr. Okimāsis.
These Cree language resources are available to download, to print out, or to read online—free of charge—at: https://
For more information on this new publication, please contact open.textbooks@uregina.ca.
3 Responses
Greetings Dr. Jean Okimāsis
I would like to express my appreciation to you and your work on the Cree language course and to the University of Regina for supporting the project. My gratitude for allowing me to download this course; engage and study the Cree language.
It is going to be a challenge in becoming fluent in this language. English and Spanish are more of the dominant languages that I hear where I live and the people I come in contact with.
Google Translate doesn’t provide any First Nation languages. They provide languages outside of this continent and ignore First Nation languages as far as I can see.
In addition, back in the late 70s I was stationed at NAS Miramar San Diego, CA. I would frequent the library downtown and came across a wealth of books on Hispanic and First Nation’s history. A topic that interested me was sports or games. I can only recall one book that I would frequently check out that described the games that the various tribes enjoyed playing. Hundreds of games and the tribes who created them and why it influenced the people. Would you know of any authors concerning this topic?
Thank You
Frank Aguilera
I was so happy when I found this free course and I immediately signed up.
Today I am going to listen to you when you speak the course material. It is sad that we do not have many people around who speak CREE. IT IS HARD TO LEARN BY YOURSELF.
When I open my Mac I know I am going to be listening to you and your good pronunciations. Thank you I am a big fan of spoken Cree. Actually when I am in a situation where Cree is spoken I understand probably 25%. When I was small I understood whatever Mom and Dad said to me. I’m making good progress. Thanks Doctor Jean Okimâsis!
Hard to find ways to translate from Cree to enlish