Category Archives: Language Lessons

Ready to learn something useful right now? There are lessons of every size in our archive: learn a new word or whole set (vocabulary); learn how words work together (grammar); learn what to say to another speaker (conversation). Explore at your own pace.

mahti êkâwiya (Please don’t!): Be careful with idioms (Solomon Ratt)

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Arden Ogg

Translating some phrases from English into Cree can have unexpected results, especially idioms. What makes English idioms so dangerous to translate? By definition, idioms are phrases that come to mean something different than the words do on their own. In … Continue reading →

Posted in How Cree Works, Solomon Ratt | Leave a comment

miyo-manitowi-kîsikânisik, 2019

Posted on December 24, 2019 by Arden Ogg

This original image of snow geese in flight brings comfort, warmth, and peace. It’s a gift to the Cree Literacy Network from Governor General’s Award-winning illustrator (and literacy advocate) Julie Flett that we are proud and grateful to share. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio (th-dialect), Audio (y-dialect), Christmas | Leave a comment

Silent Night: Rhonda Head (y-dialect)

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Arden Ogg

Thanks to Rhonda Head of Opaskwayak First Nation for permission to share her recording  and video (with family photos) of Silent Night. Congratulations from all of us, as well, on the many recognitions and honours that continue to come her … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio (y-dialect), Christmas | Leave a comment

Hippopotamus in Cree: Solomon Ratt (y-dialect)

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Arden Ogg

The late elder Smith Atimoyoo told me once that the Cree are never stuck. I think he meant that they’re innovative problem-solvers, regardless of the circumstances. Which means (in this case) that they use their amazingly flexible and descriptive linguistic … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio (y-dialect), Learn New Words, Solomon Ratt | 1 Comment

miyo-manitowi-kîsikanisi oskaskêwiki miyopayiwin: W.T. Goodspirit & The Legacies (y-dialect)

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Arden Ogg

Thanks to Wayne Jackson (the driving force behind the FaceBook group Nêhiyawêwin (Cree) Word/Phrase of the Day for permission to share this energetic, singable Christmas recording that is may make you grin from ear to ear. According to Wayne’s fellow … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio (y-dialect), Christmas, Wayne (Goodspirit) Jackson | Leave a comment

Rock Your Mocs Week, 9-16 November 2019

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Arden Ogg

takahkiska kipahkêkinaskisina. ᑕᑲᐦᑭᓴᑲ ᑭᐸᐦᑫᑭᓇᐢᑭᓇ᙮ Look good wearing your moccasins.   cihkêyihta ta-kikiskaman kipahkêkinaskisina. ᒋᐦᑫᔨᐦᑕ ᑕᑭᑭᐢᑲᒪᐣ ᑭᐸᐦᑫᑭᓇᐢᑭᓇ᙮Be happy to wear your moccasins.  We love the whole idea of “Rock your Mocs” as to reminder to embrace and celebrate Indigenous heritage by showing … Continue reading →

Posted in Literacy and Learning, Rock Your Mocs, Solomon Ratt | Leave a comment

A Cree Reminiscence from WWI: Rev. Canon Edward Ahenakew

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Arden Ogg

From the January 29, 1921 issue of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune (held in the digital collections of the University of Manitoba Archives), comes a Battle Ballad written by Rev. Canon Edward Ahenakew, looking back on the First World War.  Ahenakew … Continue reading →

Posted in Remembrance Day | Leave a comment

Honouring Indigenous Veterans 2019

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Arden Ogg

In honour of Indigenous Veterans Day, and of Remembrance Day coming up, I am proud to share this photo of Edward Ahenakew, given to me by his granddaughter Elaine Greyeyes. Edward was born at Atahkahkoop, SK, and named for his … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio (y-dialect), Remembrance Day, Video | Leave a comment

Prayer for Protectors: Solomon Ratt (y-dialect)

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Arden Ogg

nimawimostamawâwak kahkiyaw kâ-nâkatêyihtahkik kinipîminaw êkwa kitaskinâw. hay hay ᓂᒪᐏᒧᐢᑕᒪᐚᐘᐠ ᑲᐦᑭᔭᐤ ᑳ ᓈᑲᑌᔨᐦᑕᐦᑭᐠ ᑭᓂᐲᒥᓇᐤ ᐁᑿ ᑭᑕᐢᑭᓈᐤ᙮ ᐦᐊᕀ ᐦᐊᕀ I pray for all who take care of our water and our land, hay hay.

Posted in Audio (y-dialect), Prayers, Solomon Ratt | Leave a comment

Unifying Written Inuktitut: Choosing Standard Spelling to Support Language Retention

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Arden Ogg

What does a 21st-century Indigenous language sound like? How does it use print to promote literacy and help sustain itself? These questions are the foundation of everything we do at the Cree Literacy Network. Who knew the Inuit have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Community News, Learn to Read - SRO, Literacy and Learning, Syllabics | Leave a comment