Learner library

A (non-exhaustive) collection of resources for language learners, largely focused around the Cree language.

Clear
TypeTitleContentCategoryLevel
YReferenceBeginner

syllabics.app | Eddie Santos

Syllabics to SRO and back again in a very easy-to-use web app

YReferenceBeginner

52 Weeks of Cree Lessons | Julia Oulette

Free weekly video lessons in your inbox, with the option to purchase the full course in advance.

$
YImmersionIntermediate

Repeat After Me Cree | Julia Oulette

Julia has been posting phrases regularly on her Facebook page and also has a Cree course, 52 weeks of Cree.

FACEBOOK
YImmersionIntermediate

MBC On-demand | Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation

Listen to stories and interviews from MBC radio in several dialects and languages

YImmersionIntermediate

Indian Names for Alberta Communities | Hugh A. Dempsey

Glenbow Museum Occasional Paper no. 4 1987

PDF
YEReferenceBeginner

Indian Sign Language | William Tomkins

Published in 1969 by Dover Publications

PDF
EReferenceIntermediate

Tatooing Practices of the Cree Indians | D.W. Light

Glenbox Alberta Institute Occasional paper no. 6 from 1972

PDF
EReferenceBeginner

Elderspeak | Meadow Lake First Nation

Web archive version of the 2004 Elderspeak project from MLFN. 10 stories in nêhiyawêwin and english and another 6 in Dene.

YEImmersionIntermediate

giellalt / lang-crk (GitHub) | Alberta Language Technology Lab

Finite state and Constraint Grammar based analysers and proofing tools, and language resources for the Plains Cree language. Used for the itwêwina dictionary.

YEAcademicAdvanced

Maskwacîs Cree app | Samson Cree Nation

Great app with words, phrases, and games for kids.

YEKidsBeginner

Cree Language Map | Unknown

Google map with pins showing where various dialects of the language is spoken.

EReferenceBeginner

Plains Cree Dictionary | Algonquian Dictionaries Project

Another dictionary online, with similar entries as itwêwina, but without inflections (conjugation).

YEReferenceBeginner

Online Cree Dictionary | Miyo Wahkotowin Education Authority

The older dictionary (or “orange dictionary”) that is available both online, and as an app for iPhone and Android. Is being officially replaced by itwêwina dictionary, but still useful to have as an app on your phone.

YEReferenceBeginner

itwêwina (Plains Cree Dictionary) | Alberta Language Technology Lab

The newest (and most powerful) dictionary for nêhiyawêwin, this online app can conjugate (and de-conjugate) making it much easier to find words in the dictionary. Developed by the Alberta Language Technology Lab and the UofA.

YEReferenceBeginner

Plains Cree Texts | Leonard Bloomfield

PDF scan of the original book published in the 1930s. Bloomfield’s work was the first collection to use a standardized writing system for nêhiyawêwin and formed the bases for what later became SRO, or Standard Roman Orthography. These texts can also be found online at

PDF
YEImmersionIntermediate

Learning from the computational modelling of Plains Cree verbs | Atticus G. Harrigan et al

This paper describes the ongoing process of creating a computational morphological model of Plains Cree, a language native to North America, making use of finite-state machines, and with a focus on verbs.

PDF
YEAcademicAdvanced

Wîcîhsok | Sênapân Thunder

Sênapân is constantly pushing out new content focused on language learning and targeted at learners of all levels. There are tons of resources from games, activities, docs, and videos to peruse in this Facebook group. Sênapân also generally runs a weekly online group, nîhtâwêwin

FACEBOOK
YELessonsBeginner

A Dictionary of the Cree Language (1865) | E.A. Watkins

An early dictionary by the missionary E.A. Watkins, with Cree to English and English to Cree. Watkins developed his own (somewhat inconsistent) spelling system, so some existing knowledge of words is helpful in parsing out the content.

PDF
YEReferenceIntermediate

White Bear Plains Cree Conversational Manual | White Bear

Another phrases guide in Plains Cree, English and French from Beardy's & Okemasis. Originally Written for East Cree by Louise Blacksmith, Marie-Odile Junker, Marguerite MacKenzie, Luci Salt, Annie Whiskeychan. Adapted for Plains Cree by Jean Okimāsis & Arok Wolvengrey.

PDF
YELessonsBeginner

Beardy's & Okemasis Plains Cree Conversational Manual | Robert Eyahpaise

Phrases in Plains Cree, English and French from Beardy's & Okemasis. Originally Written for East Cree by Louise Blacksmith, Marie-Odile Junker, Marguerite MacKenzie, Luci Salt, Annie Whiskeychan. Adapted for Plains Cree by Jean Okimāsis & Arok Wolvengrey.

PDF
YELessonsBeginner

Not Wordle - based on the work from Hannah Park and Aiden Pine | Aaron Fay

nêhiyaw take on the viral game Wordle, guess the 5-letter word within 6 tries, resets once a day.

YImmersionBeginner

A Cree view of Education | Solomon Ratt

”The activities in this unit are designed to give the students an appreciation of their heritage. Doing practical crafts like making snowshoes, paddles, birch-bark baskets, birch-bark canoes, birch syrup, bows and arrows, slings, willow whistles, scrapers, moccasins, leather mitts, cradleboards, fish-roasters (apwânâsk), and setting various types of snares will show how innovative the ancestors were to adapt to the ways of the land.”

PDF
YEReferenceIntermediate

How to say it in Cree | Solomon Ratt

Possibly a precursor to mâci-nêhiyawêwin, a PDF that I found on the internet somewhere quite a while ago an now seems hard to find. Archived here for posterity :)

PDF
YEReferenceBeginner

Nehiyo | Carl Quinn

One of Carl Quinn’s fantastic albums, all in nêhiyawêwin.

YImmersionBeginner

Cree Language Videos and Lessons | Our Elders Stories

Resource featuring YouTube links to listen to different phrases and nouns. Also, there are different dialects featured.

YELessonsBeginner

Tom’s Ramsey Story | Tom’s Ramsey

A short story that was told to Tom Ramsey from his sister-in-law. English subtitles.

YEImmersionIntermediate

maskosis okî | Caylie Gnyra

“As Little Bear goes about his day, readers learn AI verbs that might apply to their own daily lives, and how to conjugate those verbs to describe others’ actions in the third person (singular)”

YEKidsBeginner

100 Days of Cree | Neal McLeod

This should actually be called 1000 days of Cree, there’s so much good material in there. Neal introduces both some old works and phrases, as well as some more contemporary words that have been devised by fluent speakers.

$
YEReferenceBeginner

Brian McDonald album | Brian McDonald

Including the famous “tânisi song” and others, the full album is available to stream on YouTube Music as well as other platforms.

YEKidsBeginner

First Nations Storytelling playlist | MFNERC - Inclusive Education

A handful of stories in the language (including N-dialect), a creation story, trickster story

YOUTUBE
YImmersionIntermediate

Small Number Counts to 100 - in Cree | Simon Fraser University

Cree version of "Small Number Counts to 100", a short animation movie aimed at transforming math into a star in the eyes of kindergarten to high school Aboriginal youth.

YOUTUBE
YImmersionIntermediate

History of the Cree Language (part 2) | Reuben Quinn

Conclusion to the two-part series on the history of the nêhiyaw people.

YOUTUBE
YELessonsBeginner

History of the Cree Language (part 1) | Reuben Quinn

A really great history of the nêhiyawak with an introduction to syllabics by Reuben Quinn. Don’t forget to also watch part 2.

YOUTUBE
YELessonsBeginner

Wahkohtowin: Cree Natural Law | BearPaw Media and Education

A great video with a lot of spoken language, talking about natural law, relations, and maintaining Cree culture.

YOUTUBE
YEImmersionIntermediate

pê-nêhiyawêk: Come Speak Cree with Darren Okemaysim | File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council

A dozen lengthy videos covering two sets of nêhiyawêwin classes by the late Darren Okemaysim, featuring the TPR method.

YOUTUBE
YELessonsBeginner

Cree Phrases | Neil Redcrow

Neil present a number of videos introducing vocab and phrases, including the sounds of the language and SRO, a perfect reference for beginners from an advanced language learner.

YOUTUBE
YELessonsBeginner

Cree Chatter Hour with Fawn & Dallas | CFWE

A still-running podcast/radio program from CFWE where Fawn Wood and Dallas Waskahat talk about the language and introduce new vocabulary and phrases.

YECommentaryBeginner

W.T. GoodSpirit (Wayne Jackson) on CFWE | CFWE

A short playlist of visits to CFWE from Wayne Jackson.

YECommentaryBeginner

Reuben Quinn on CFWE's Conversational Cree | CFWE

A handful of episodes from CFWE with Reuben Quinn as the guest.

YECommentaryBeginner

University nuxełhot’įne thaaɁehots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills's Podcast | Wayne Jackson

Wayne presents a number of episodes from over the years, typically starting with a bit of a language lesson in the beginning, and ending with a story or interview from a fluent speaker at the end.

YEImmersionBeginner

Unsettling Your Language Podcast | Chelsea Vowel

A four-part podcast on getting started learning nêhiyawêwin by Chelsea Vowel.

YELessonsBeginner

mâci-nêhiyawêwin / Beginning Cree (online version) | Solomon Ratt

Earlier (draft) copy of the fantastic book from Solomon, from 2012. Has the majority of what’s in the print version with the exception of some of the more advanced paradigms in the back. Released with permission from the author.

PDF
YELessonsBeginner

mâci-nêhiyawêwin / Beginning Cree | Solomon Ratt

Excellent book for beginners that covers phrasing, vocabulary and grammar. Workbook and reference all in one, and well worth the price.

$
YELessonsBeginner

learncree.ca | Lac La Ronge Indian Band

Various printable (free and paid) resources including posters, books and learning aides in the TH dialect.

$
THKidsBeginner

learncree.ca | Lac La Ronge Indian Band

A collection of songs online in the TH dialect.

THKidsBeginner

learncree.ca | Lac La Ronge Indian Band

Interactive, online activities for getting exposure to home, animals, and other daily vocabulary.

THKidsBeginner

Learn Cree with Me | Cathy Wheaton Bird

Another great resource on Facebook (though you’ll need to ask to join), Cathy has also collected tons of resources around the internet, and posts videos regularly from her journey as a language learner. Definitely check out the “Featured” posts for lots of treasure.

FACEBOOK
YELessonsBeginner

Nêhiyawêwin (Cree) Word/Phrase of the Day | Wayne Jackson

One of the largest Facebook groups, and full of tons of questions, phrases, videos and other content. Posting still occurs daily, but you may find real value in the search feature when looking for various words and phrases (like hippopotamus 😆).

FACEBOOK
YELessonsBeginner

Cree Simon Says | Simon Bird

Facebook group by Simon Bird. Simon posts regularly various mnemonics, games, and memes to help support language revitalization online.

FACEBOOK
YELessonsBeginner

Learn Cree with Andrea | Andrea Custer

Various videos on the sounds of the language and beginner lessons and songs in nêhiyawêwin

YOUTUBE
YELessonsBeginner
YELessonsBeginner

Cree: Language of the Plains workbook | Jean Okimâsis

Workbook to accompany the language reference and audio sessions from Jean Okimâsis

PDF
YELessonsBeginner

Cree: Language of the Plains audio sessions | Jean Okimâsis

Audio sessions to accompany the Cree: Language of the Plains reference and workbook

YELessonsBeginner

Cree: Language of the Plains | Jean Okimâsis

A great resource for anyone interested in getting started with the language. Jean’s book is a gentle introduction into various concepts around the language grammar and structure, along with a healthy dose of vocabulary, and shouldn’t be missed if you’re just starting out.

PDF
YELessonsBeginner

Cree Literacy Network | Arden Ogg

CLN has been collecting stories and content for language learners for over a decade, with links to resources, books, and collections of audio and stories within, many hours can be spent perusing the archives. A worthwhile visit at any level.

YELessonsBeginner

Marjorie White ê-kî-pê-nêhiyawêmototâkoyâhk kâkikê | Wayne Jackson

Marjorie White discusses her upbringing with the nêhiyaw language, and her ongoing Lessons in a visit to Blue Quills University.

YOUTUBE
YImmersionIntermediate

Long & Short vowel sounds in nêhiyawêwin | Wayne Jackson

Cree Warrior gives us another kind lesson on the long and short vowels in the language as well as how they are represented in syllabics.

YOUTUBE
YLessonsBeginner
YEImmersionBeginner

How to Spell it in Cree | Jean Okimâsis & Arok Wolvengrey

Document discusses the details of how to use SRO (standard roman othography), the most commonly-used standard alphabet for the Cree language.

PDF
YELessonsBeginner

Plains Cree: A Grammatical Study | H. Christoph Wolfart

An in-depth look at the grammatical characteristics of Plains Cree. Explores everything from noun and verb paradigms to morphemes, to rare forms of words used in the language.

PDF
YEAcademicAdvanced
kiyânaw