Cree Literacy Network

On Thursday, May 8, Manitoba’s Premier Wab Kinew rose in the Legislature, speaking in Cree to acknowledge Spirit Bear Day,  the creation of Jordan’s Principle and the memory of Jordan River Anderson, the child from Manitoba’s Norway House Cree Nation, for whom the principle is named. Cree Elder Ellen Cook, standing by in the translators booth, provided simultaneous interpretation into English via headphones for legislators and guests. Members of Jordan Anderson’s family were present to hear the tribute, as was children’s rights advocate, Cindy Blackstock. 

Speaking Indigenous languages in official government settings is an expression of respect for both the language and the people to whom it belongs, not least because of the effort and care it demands. It’s a significant act of reconciliation, and it brought tears to some whose language had been forbidden.

Indigenous languages may have been present in Manitoba’s legislature from its earliest days, but making that language available concurrently to non-speakers, while preserving it intact for the permanent written record, is a significant first that carries that respect to a new level. The Cree language here is given the same respect that Canadians have traditionally reserved for French. 

Known as a trilingual speaker of Anishinaabemowin, English and French, the Premier gave a highly creditable reading in his fourth language. His message for the speakers present was clearly understood, as was his respect for those he addressed. 

It was also a challenge for Elder Ellen Cook, approaching simultaneous translation for the first time. Ellen brought along Miranda McLeod, a fluent speaker from Cross Lake and Cree teacher-in-training to help ensure continuity for the Cree branch of this project. We hope to see it flourish in each of Manitoba’s Indigenous languages.  

A full, accurate transcription of the original statement is also published in Hansard, the official, historical record of the legislature. A segment of that record (with Cree and its translation into English) is extracted below the CBC YouTube video so we can invite Cree speakers and speakers-in-training to listen and read along.