Category Archives: Learn New Words

Find words (or whole sets of words) that are new to you – or newly created by speakers moving Cree into the 21st century.

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

Star Vocabulary from Wilfred Buck – SRO, y-dialect

Posted on March 3, 2019 by Arden Ogg

Wilfred Buck’s Tipiskawi Kisik / Night Sky Star Stories must have reached best seller status at McNally Robinson – and at Manitoba First Nations Education Centre where it was produced. It’s really a beauty. Here’s a link that includes a … Continue reading →

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Solomon Goes Shopping: y-dialect

Posted on March 3, 2019 by Arden Ogg

This video from Solomon Ratt offers a lot more lessons in language and “shopping culture” than you might expect, and leaves you with unexpected feels. While you’re learning vocabulary and pronunciation, take a moment to acknowledge the parts that *should … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio (y-dialect), Cree Cultural Literacy, Learn New Words, Solomon Ratt, Video | Leave a comment

The Tipi that Mosôm Built – MESC

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Arden Ogg

Thanks to Maskwacis Education Schools Commission for sharing this great video, created by grade 4 and 5 students from Montana School- Meskanahk Ka Nipa Wit. Their amazing mini-movie is titled “This Is The Tipi Mosom Built”. It was directed by teacher Alison … Continue reading →

Posted in Learn New Words, Video | 3 Comments

Two Great New Books from Blue Quills

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Arden Ogg

Thanks to Tina Wellman at University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills for sending us sample copies of two great new resources they’ve just published themselves. Both books include lots of really useful vocabulary for letter-writing, visiting an office, job advertising, place … Continue reading →

Posted in Book News, Books for Language Learners, Learn New Words | Leave a comment

Some Minimal Pairs from Solomon Ratt – With Audio

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Arden Ogg

Cree spelling: kiyâm nâ? – It doesn’t matter? namôtha kiyâm! – It matters!  This great collection of minimal pairs from Solomon Ratt brings together words in Cree that differ by only one sound, some of which are commonly confused – … Continue reading →

Posted in How Cree Works, Learn New Words, Solomon Ratt | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Solar Eclipse, 21 August 2017

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Arden Ogg

For those watching today’s solar eclipse, some related words in Cree: kotâwîwi-pîsim (eclipse; literally: sun sinking under ground) wanitipiskipayiw (darken, suddenly get dark, be an eclipse) Be sure to protect your eyes! awahê! (Be careful!) APTN interviewed Wilfred Buck this afternoon. Watch … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Indigenous Knowledge (Science), Learn New Words | Leave a comment

How do you say hamburger in Cree?

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Arden Ogg

And just as importantly: What do you put on yours? This little graphic was inspired by a question on the Facebook group nêhiyawêwin (Cree) Word of the Day. Thanks to Barry Ahenakew (Ahtahkakoop, SK), Simon Bird (Montreal Lake, SK), Stan … Continue reading →

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Halloween Vocabulary from Wayne Goodspirit (y-dialect)

Posted on October 29, 2016 by Arden Ogg

miyo-cîpayi-tipiskâwinisik Happy Halloween Everyone! Thanks to Wayne Goodspirit for sharing this list of Halloween vocabulary last year on Facebook, and to Sol for posing for this special-occasion portrait (as well as recording the vocabulary, divided into three audio files). Apples to … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio (y-dialect), Halloween, Learn New Words, Wayne (Goodspirit) Jackson | 1 Comment

Powwow Regalia Vocabulary

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Arden Ogg

  Thanks to Solomon Ratt for providing Cree vocabulary (in text and audio) to accompany this set of images gathered by Alan Corbiere for Anishinaabemowin (https://quizlet.com/85421294/pow-wow-regalia-flash-cards/). These are Sols terms to parallel Alan’s – but Sol says he’s from up … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio (y-dialect), Learn New Words, Solomon Ratt | Leave a comment