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ᐄᓅᐊᔨᒧᐧᐃᓐ / ᐄᔨᔨᐅᔨᒧᐧᐃᓐ

Our Language

Spoken Language

Cree is an Indigenous language, with various dialects spoken across what is now Canada and parts of the United States. We, the traditional Cree peoples of iiyiyiu aschii (Eeyou Istchee), speak East Cree. East Cree is divided into two dialects:

ᐄᓅᐊᔨᒧᐧᐃᓐ
iinuuayimuwin

Southern East Cree

Spoken in Waskaganish, Nemaska, Mistissini, Oujé-Bougoumou and Waswanipi. This dialect can be further subdivided into Southern (coastal) and Southern (inland).

ᐄᔨᔨᐅᔨᒧᐧᐃᓐ
iiyiyiuyimuwin

Northern East Cree

Spoken in Whapmagoostui, Chisasibi, Wemindji, and Eastmain.

More information on dialects can be found on eastcree.org.

Cree is a language rooted in the land, making the language a unique and a valuable experience to learn. This connection means that Cree language and culture are often taught together, with land-based outings scheduled throughout the school year to bring the lessons to life.

Written Language

There are two ways the Cree language may be written:

ᑴ

Cree Syllabics

Using a set of letters developed specifically for Cree, with letters representing sounds unique to the East Cree language

kwe

Roman Orthography

Using a set of letters originating in the Latin alphabet, which is also used in English and French

At the Cree School Board, we begin teaching syllabics to children as early as Pre-Kindergarten. Written language lessons are used in addition to land-based activities and oral traditions to strengthen the overall comprehension of Cree, and to help people use it in various ways in the future. The Cree School Board also produces many documents in Cree.

The History of Written Communication in iiyiyiu aschii

Although there is some evidence of natural materials being used to record information, such as symbols on birch bark, standardized systems of written communication were first introduced to iiyiyiu aschii by the Europeans (including syllabics, which were introduced by missionaries in the mid-1800s.

Today, written language allows us to keep our language alive, ensuring that our communications, agreements, reports, histories, and other documents can be understood and accessed by those who speak Cree.

Maintaining a strong oral tradition and uplifting our spoken traditions while also making written materials available in Cree will allow us to strengthen our language for the next generation.

As the Cree School Board, we play an important role in maintaining and strengthening the Cree language through education.

  • This starts with Cree immersion instruction, which is offered to all children at the preschool and kindergarten levels.
  • From there, students participate in Cree language and culture classes throughout elementary and secondary school.
  • We also support our Cree language teachers with resources and mentorship, and we engage with families and communities to create an environment where Cree can be heard and spoken every day.

By working together, we hope to keep the Cree language strong for many generations to come!