Description
Written by Connie Twin, a first-language speaker from Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta, and Tanya Fontaine, a dedicated Cree language learner and educator.
Reading and Writing Bush Cree is a heartfelt, practical, and approachable guide for fluent speakers and Cree language educators who want to learn to read and writesakâw nîhiyawîwin—Bush Cree, or the Northern Y dialect. This book bridges oral fluency with written literacy to support language preservation and revitalization.
Through personal stories and cultural insight, the authors guide readers into the structure of Cree grammar and the use of Standard Roman Orthography (SRO). With clear examples of both fluent and full written forms, this book also sheds light on how Cree sounds are represented in writing and highlights important differences between Northern and Southern Y dialects.
This is more than a how-to book—it’s a call to keepsakâw nîhiyawîwinalive for future generations.
Features
A first-language speaker’s perspective on learning to read and write Cree
Focus onsakâw nîhiyawîwin(Bush Cree / Northern Y dialect)
A step-by-step introduction to Standard Roman Orthography (SRO) and syllabics
Need-to-know basics of Cree reading, writing, grammar, and Y dialect variation