In October of 2025, Sakâw nîhyawîwin ayamihcikîwin ikwa masinahikîwin, Reading and Writing Bush Cree: the mini guide for northern Y dialect, was released. Since it's release it has been nominated for an Alberta Book Publishing Award.
Connie and Tanya are very grateful to Glen and Kay with Brush Education who made this book possible.
The book is available to order in bulk at Brusheducation.ca, or on Amazon.
Resource materials
nîsohkamâtotân
With over 30 years of experience in the field of Cree language, we now specialize in providing Cree language resources that help make teaching and learning Cree easier. From providing online conversational classes to the development of a Cree grammar book for teachers, we are committed to making Cree language learning fun and easy. Check out the resources we offer here or contact us for more information about our next online class.
Tanya and Connie
Working to incorporate the Cree values of "sâkihitowin" and "kisewâtisiwin" (love and kindness/compassion) into educational classes and resources.
Client Reviews
Feedback about the course:
STEPHANIE
This is my first time taking a nehiyawewin (Cree language) course and I have really enjoyed my experience. A key factor in this has been the co-instruction of Connie and Tanya, who come together as an Indigenous language keeper and a non-Indigenous language learner/ally in the spirit of friendship and partnership to preserve and pass on the beautiful nehiyawewin language. Their patience, humor, and respect for one another modelled what reconciliation looks like and created a safe space for students to begin learning nehiyaw (Cree) language and culture. I hope this rich learning opportunity continues to be offered to others seeking to learn and that a more advanced course will be offered as well.
KELLY
As an educator and mother of two, the language and information I am going to take back to my students are both profound and applicable!
Sakâw nîhiyawîwin
There is a unique version of Plains Cree called "sakâw nîhiyawîwin". Translating this term into English is tricky. It is commonly known as "Bush Cree". However, some people find that term carries a negative connotation and prefer to use the term "Northern Cree". There are differences between Plains Cree and sakâw nîhiyawîwin, the main one being that the letter "ê" is not used by northern speakers. Instead, a long "î" or short "i" replaces the "ê" in most cases. For example, "nîhiyawîwin" versus "nêhiyawêwin", both mean "Cree language" and both are classified as Plains Cree.
"WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE [FINANCIAL] SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA."
Book Launch
On December 13, 2025, a book launch was held at KTCEA Edmonton office to celebrate the arrival of this book. It was cold but over 30 people braved the weather to share in our joy.
kinanâskomitinâwâw
