This revised edition of Spoken Cree by C. Douglas Ellis is the first of three levels in a complete Cree language course, based on the "N" and "L" dialects spoken west of James Bay. Level I introduces the student to Cree by focussing on typical day-to-day situations. Each of the 18 units include basic conversation, a discussion of Cree grammar, drills, conversation practice and vocabulary list and a review section. The complete collection of sound files to accompany this manual can be downloaded from http://spokencree.org/. Spoken Cree III is available from the School of Linguistics and Language Studies, Carleton University.
First published in 1962, this new edition has revised grammatical sections, is expanded with illustrative examples and is keyed to drills throughout the text.
Cree, a member of the Algonquian family of languages, is nationally recognized as the most widely spoken Canadian native language. The newly revised Spoken Cree, Level II explores the spoken and written language in the cultural context of a Northern Cree village. Spoken Cree, Level II is the intermediate volume of a three-level Cree language course. This volume builds on the fundamental knowledge of the Cree language established in Spoken Cree, Level I. From the weather to a wedding, tea breaks to trapping, Level II enriches Cree language proficiency in everyday situations. In addition to sections devoted to developing speaking and listening skills in conversation, Level II provides exercises in syllabic writing. There are 18 new lessons. Based on the Swampy Cree (N-Dialect) and Moose Cree (L-Dialect) spoken on the West Coast of James Bay, C. Douglas Ellis’s Spoken Cree has become the authoritative work on the Cree language since its original release in 1963. Spoken Cree, Level II is an essential resource and teaching tool for everyone interested in the Cree language.
Sarah Whitecalf (1919-1991) spoke Cree exclusively, having been raised in the traditional manner by her grandparents. She was well known for her discourses, mainly on Cree culture, which are exceptionally rich and beautiful. This book records in print Mrs Whitecalf’s spoken responses to questions put to her in January 1990 by a group of teachers; mostly Cree speakers themselves, they were students in a course in Cree language structures which Freda Ahenakew taught for the Northern Teacher Education Program (NORTEP) at La Ronge, Saskatchewan. The La Ronge Lectures of Sarah Whitecalf differ radically from most other text collections in the indigenous languages of North America: while she freely illustrates her discussion with personal experiences, Sarah Whitecalf’s purpose in these lectures is not to tell stories but to explicate Cree practices and beliefs. In this book, she deals with diverse aspects of traditional Cree life, ranging from the vegetable dyes used for porcupine-quills to love medicines and their antidotes; she speaks about the sacred pipe and other spiritual matters, such as reliance on owls as spirit messengers; and she also addresses the question whether or not Cree religious practices and the Cree language itself should be taught to Whites. Throughout the book, Sarah Whitecalf stresses the importance of language as the vehicle of culture and identity. Through the discussions of her traditional life, she stressed the importance of language as a vehicle of culture and identity. In Plains Cree with an English translation and syllabics. Includes glossary.
Cree Language of the Plains: Nehiyawewin Paskwawi-pikiskwewin explores some of the intricate grammatical features of a language spoken by a nation which extends from Quebec to Alberta. This book presents the grammatical structure of Cree that everyone can understand, along with selected technical linguistic explanations. The accompanying workbook, sold separately, has exercises which provide practice with the concepts described in the textbook as well as dialogue about everyday situations which provide practice in the conversational Cree.
The disturbing educational success rates for Aboriginal students in comparison with their peers have been documented for many years. Reducing this persistent achievement gap is one of Canada's most pressing educational challenges. Numerous reports commissioned by federal and provincial governments and Aboriginal authorities have offered detailed examinations of the complex social, economic, linguistic, and cultural interrelationships that contextualize the educational environments of Aboriginal students. Many of their families struggle with the legacy of residential schools that ripped families apart and caused immeasurable damage to the social fabric. Schools serving these communities work within a context that may include poverty, learned helplessness, despair, and high levels of abuse, addictions and violence. For some communities, student suicide rates may exceed graduation rates. Yet despite many extraordinary challenges, some schools are producing tangible progress for their Aboriginal students. This report springs from a study of ten such schools in an effort to identify practices that appear to contribute to their success.
In 100 Days of Cree Neal McLeod offers a portal into another way of understanding the universe-and our place within it-while demonstrating why this funny, vibrant, and sometimes salacious language is "the sexiest" of them all (according to Tomson Highway).
