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Category Archives: Indigenous Knowledge (Science)
Moon Phases – Shannon Dumba
Thanks to Shannon Dumba, an enthusiastic student of Cree (and my fellow “Rhythm Ratt”) for sharing her how she’s learned the moon’s phases in Cree. She illustrated them with this beautiful collage, she used them in writing an original poem … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, Audio (y-dialect)
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Puppy Willows (?)
Who knew that pussy willows could change species in translation? According to Solomon Ratt, the Cree word for pussy willows is acimosihkânisak, literally, little pretend puppies. The word includes atim “dog” with its “t” changed to “c” and an “s” … Continue reading
Posted in Learn New Words, Plants and Medicine
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Cree Dictionary of Mathematical Terms – Free Download
Sincere thanks to Arzu Sardarli who has given us permission on behalf of his team to share their award-winning Cree Dictionary of Mathematical Terms for Elementary School as a free downloadable PDF. This first-of-its-kind mathematical dictionary is especially valuable to … Continue reading
Posted in Book News, Dictionaries and Grammars, Mathematics
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Covid-19 Info in Cree and English from Simon Bird (th-dialect)
Thanks to Simon Bird (#creesimonsays) for preparing this video aimed at fluent speakers, but including good English content as well. As a former chief, Simon has direct information from Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) emergency response team. As a … Continue reading
Wisahkecahk self-medicates for Coronavirus (Solomon Ratt: th-dialect)
[An entirely made-up legend, but – like all legends – it offers an important lesson!] kîtahtawî îsa wîsahkîcâhk kî-wâpahtam mihkwâkanasinahikanihk î-âsôskamâkâniwik ohpanahpinîwin ikwa mihcît athisitiniwa î-nanâtawihisocik nîhithaw-maskihkiya ohci. wîsta papâmi-môsahkinam nîhithaw-maskihkiya, athisk î-tâpwîhtahk kahkithaw nanâtohk kîkway kayâs ohci î-mithwâsinithik. ikwâni … Continue reading
Trees: Charlie Venne & Solomon Ratt (y- and th-dialects)
In November 2019, Charlie Venne prepared a great teaching presentation featuring the names of trees in Woodland Cree, complete with photos and audio for pronunciation. You can view his post on his First Nation Stories website, at http://firstnationstories.com/?p=3322 Inspired by … Continue reading
Sweetgrass: Neil Redcrow (y-dialect)
Thanks to Neil Redcrow for reminding us of the role of sweetgrass in prayer: a thought worth remembering every day, especially in Cree.
Posted in Audio (y-dialect), Plants and Medicine
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nikâwiy and awâsis: New Cree names for a planet and a star
Thanks to Alberta teacher Amanda Green and Wilfred Buck and the International Astronomical Union, Star HD 136418 is now officially named “Nikawiy“, which is the Cree word for “mother”, and planet HD 136418b is now officially known as “Awasis“, the … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, Indigenous Knowledge (Science)
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Birch Syrup Video: Solomon Ratt (y-dialect)
Making birch syrup is a great traditional way to greet the spring. Christine Ravenis’s photos are the next best thing to being there (if only they could include a taste.) This presentation by Solomon Ratt is equal parts dialogue-style text, … Continue reading
Star Vocabulary from Wilfred Buck – SRO, y-dialect
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
Posted in Astronomy, Learn New Words
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