Tag Archives: First Nation

First Publication for First Nation Stories

After all these years, I am finally published. Check out the embed post from Facebook:

I am very happy and elated to get published. For awhile, I thought my website would be the only place I could get my stories to see the light of day. I built my website on May of 2009, all for the sake of getting my stories out to the world. This is a new venture for me, my stories and my website.

About a year ago, I introduced myself to Jason EagleSpeaker through LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/eaglespeaker/). I was so glad that he responded to my email. After a few back and forth emails, we were able to work something out. I was still not sure if it was going to happen, but I was hopeful and at least I had taken some steps.

I am more motivated now to write more stories. I hope this is the beginning of a long relationship with publishing my written works.

*Available in softcover and eBook
Amazon USA
Amazon Canada
Get it Publisher Direct at
WANNA HELP CHARLIE’S BOOK SUCCEED ???
1 – BUY a softcover copy
2 – LEAVE a quick review, on Amazon
3 – TELL your cuzzzins, your friends, your peoples

 

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Cree T-SHIRT Designs

A friend of mine, Arden Ogg from the Cree Literacy Network, recently suggested that I redesign an image I developed with the Cree phrase, “I Am Cree”. She believes that it is a powerful phrase for learners, and I wholeheartedly agree.

Below are the redesigned versions of the Cree memes with only the Cree words written on them.

Download JPG ⇓

Woodland Cree – I am Cree – Yesterday – Today – Forever

Download JPG ⇓

Plains Cree – I am Cree – Yesterday – Today – Forever

My only request, is that you please leave the https://firstnationstories.com text on the image, if you decide to get a custom t-shirt using my design.

Check out these online custom t-shirt stores with Canadian rates:

Entripy – https://www.entripy.com/ 

Vistaprint – https://www.vistaprint.ca/

You may use any image from the site gallery, and please keep my logo and/or url on the image.

Find other images on the link below:

FREE CREE IMAGES

Thank you for visiting

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thikwaskwan – It is cloudy in Woodland Cree

A young photographer, Jaredan from Pinehouse, recently shot storm clouds in Regina, SK. I just wanted to share the pictures he has taken and add a couple of Cree words to his work.

thikwaskwan – It is cloudy.

Kaskitīwithikwaskwan – There are black clouds.

 

If you want to see more from Jaredan, check out his Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/jaredan.smith.16

2000 Likes for First Nation Stories Facebook Page

Wahwā, WOW! I finally reached a coveted milestone of 2000 likes to my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/firstnationstories/

I appreciate the support of my many followers and visitors. It took almost a year to go from 1000 to 2000, lets make 3000 by the end of the year.

nīso kihci-mitāhatomitanaw – 2000

From the words of Cree Teacher, Simon Bird – kinanāskomitin = I thank you/I am thankful for you/I am grateful for you (#CreeSimonSays).

mīna kihtwām – until next time

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Staying with Teaching

I recently made the decision to stay with my teaching job at Sally Ross School. I submitted my letter of intent to continue working at my hometown of Hall Lake. It was a hard choice but I feel it is better for my family and myself.

I had some thoughts of going back to my old job as web developer because it was easier than what I had to go through on a day to day basis with my job as grade 5 and 6 teacher. I have met challenges that I thought were too much to handle. I felt inept and too inexperienced to deal with my students who I though deserved a better teacher. I still believe they do, but they are stuck with me until the end of the school year.

I have had much trouble with classroom management and discipline. I have much support and will try to get the understanding of the parents to try and do better. I hope there is some type of understanding worked out because I want all my students to do well.

As for this website, I will continue on because it is my pride and joy. Whenever I am going through a tough time, I know I can get some appreciation for the time and effort I put into this website from my many followers and visitors. It has got me through, time and again and I do not want to lose the support I have garnered from my visitors. I enjoy writing stories and providing a supplement to any Cree program through my efforts. I have enjoyed and used many resource people, especially Solomon Ratt, Simon Bird and Arden Ogg. There are many others of course but these have been my main sources because they are constantly online to support me (more than they know).

My Online Cree Sources – Facebook, YouTube and Websites 2022

I refer to many sources for my website articles. Without these sources, I would be spending enormous amounts of time completing my blogs about Cree. As a semi-fluent speaker, writer, and reader of Woodland Cree, the following sources are invaluable to me.

Facebook pages I follow:

Nêhiyawêwin (Cree) Word/Phrase of the Day – https://www.facebook.com/groups/18414147673/


#CreeSimonSays – https://www.facebook.com/groups/380099328844547/


Cree Language Videos – https://www.facebook.com/groups/100216916980387/


Learn Cree With Me –
https://www.facebook.com/groups/280657821548


Nêhiyawêwin for the Soul –
https://www.facebook.com/N%C3%AAhiyaw%C3%AAwin-for-the-Soul-596183750539244


Cree Language Resources ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐍᐏᐣ – https://www.facebook.com/groups/104500159643897/


Cree Media CBC –
https://www.facebook.com/creemediacbc/

This page can get somewhat political, but it does provide links to Cree language interviews and various other Cree videos.  


Cree word for the day is….
https://www.facebook.com/groups/104433456306236

LLRIB Cree Language Resources – https://www.facebook.com/llribcreelanguage/

Cree Syllabics FORUM –
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1432467493636362/

YouTube Channels:

#CreeSimonSays – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClrHhQZjSL8tDe29lOT7zQA

Cree Literacy Network –
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-nM3vziXSX8RIjnn9D48PQ

Solomon Ratt Query – https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=solomon+ratt

Cree Phrases – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCINEc-0LPsQ5Me2dR-LiW6w

Cathy Wheaton Bird #creebycathy – https://www.youtube.com/user/chimiskwew

BentArrowYEG –
https://www.youtube.com/user/BentArrowEdmonton/videos

Pow wow Times –
https://www.youtube.com/c/PowwowTimes/search?query=cree

BearPaw Media and Education – https://www.youtube.com/c/BearPawLegal

Aaron Fay – https://www.youtube.com/c/AaronFay

HPSD Indigenous Education – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2Srx8T33haoSatKO-nxvcg/videos


Websites I have used:

Learn Cree – http://learncree.ca/

In my workplace, I have been tasked to train with the web developer and provide revisions and updates. I am currently in training, it is a tech that I am not entirely familiar with. I will keep you posted.


Cree Literacy Network – https://creeliteracy.org/

This is an awesome website, it is updated regularly and shared on many relevant Cree language Facebook pages. The promotion of our beautiful language is very well presented and I love our friends from the Cree Literacy Network. Check it out yourself for the video, audio, and text.


itwêwina – A dictionary that understands what you’re looking for. – https://sapir.artsrn.ualberta.ca/cree-dictionary/

I came across this website in 2019 when I was looking for sources. There are many variations of Cree words in the linguistics column search. I use it extensively to this day.


The following websites do not translate or interpret Cree words in any way, however, they can convert SRO to syllabics.

Syllabics.net Welcome –
https://syllabics.net/

Cree SRO ⇔ syllabics converter –
https://syllabics.app/


U of R – Cree: Language of the Plains / nēhiyawēwin: paskwāwi-pīkiskwēwin
https://ourspace.uregina.ca/handle/10294/8401

This Collection has PDFs and audio files that you may download to your computer for personal use.


Online Cree Dictionary – http://www.creedictionary.com/

I have not used this website for a long time. Apparently, the audio is based on an Adobe Flash plugin whichis obsolete. Hopefully, they find the resources to replace all the Flash files and insert simple audio files.


Welcome to the Plains Cree Dictionary! – https://dictionary.plainscree.atlas-ling.ca/#/help

This is an interesting website. Unfortunately, I could not find any audio clips.


Online Dictionary of Moose Cree –
https://moosecree.ca/

This dictionary is in the L dialect. There is audio for select Cree words on the website.


The websites below are from a Google search, maybe you will find them useful in your quest to learn our beautiful language.

Pinterest (Cree Language) –
https://www.pinterest.ca/search/pins/q=cree%20language&rs=typed


Vocabulary in Native American Languages: Cree Words – http://www.native-languages.org/cree_words.htm


U of S Indigenous Languages –
https://teaching.usask.ca/indigenoussk/import/indigenous_languages.php

Cree | CBC Indigenous – Original Voices –
https://www.cbc.ca/originalvoices/language/cree/


Please feel free to share your sources as well, whether it’s a book, Elders, or other online sources.


Regarding SRO to Syllabic converters – I have used them extensively at my workplace and they are real-time savers. Copy and Paste and you are good to go. Please take your time to cross-reference with a chart if you are doing syllabics for a project. I found a glitch here and there (I contacted their support techs). I hope you will find them useful.

Cree language – nīhithawīwin

 

Banner background Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

 

November 2019 – Most successful Month of all time for First Nation Stories

November 2019, is the most most successful month for this website. A total of 3457 views and 2018 visitors altogether.

Click to see larger image

 

The year 2019, saw 23, 256 views and 14, 206 visitors. More than tripling 2018, in both views and visitors.

stats
Click to see larger image

Many countries have visited my website. The list is impressive but I am sure that many hits are by accident, especially from the countries overseas.

Click to see larger image

 

My Facebook likes have climbed from 100 in November 2018, to 1800 in November 2019. The First Nation Stories Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/firstnationstories/)

It has been a great year for the First Nation Stories brand and I hope it continues for the New Year!

 

From the words of Cree Teacher, Simon Bird – kinanāskomitin = I thank you/I am thankful for you/I am grateful for you (#CreeSimonSays).

My late review of Mayochup

At the beginning of the year, Heinz Mayochup was making headlines as an exciting new condiment that combined mayonnaise and ketchup in one bottle. However, it made headlines again because when translated to Cree, it meant ‘poop-face.’ Several news websites picked up the story and caused quite a stir on social media.

Before this condiment came out, I have never tried mixing mayonnaise with ketchup, I have used both separately but not at the same time. It sounded interesting to  me.

When it came to Canada, I decided to give it a little time before I bought it because it seemed expensive to me at $4.95. I am kind of “thrifty”, if you know what I mean.

I had it in my fridge for a while but when I tried it, I liked it. It goes well with bologna sandwiches and I do not have to decide on ketchup or mayonnaise, I just use Mayochup.

Now back to the Cree translation controversy. If I attempted to translate to Cree, it would sound more like ‘poop-eye’ as commented on by Arok Wolvengrey on Arden Ogg’s post on the Nêhiyawêwin (Cree) Word/Phrase of the Day:

 

Click image to go to Facebook post by Arden Ogg

 

While I did not chime in at the time, I gave it much thought myself but since I did not even know how it tasted, I felt I needed to test it out. I did not think it tasted like poop or anything.

The picture at the top of the page is the meal I had about 20 minutes before I decided to give my late review. It was probably not the healthiest breakfast, however, it was still very satisfying. You can tell from the almost empty bottle that I have used it many times before (I am the only one in my household who has the guts).

Have a great day, and try a taste yourself.

Heinz Mayochup, 16.5 oz Easy Squeeze Bottle – https://www.heinz.com/product/00013000012409

Heinz calls Mayochup meaning in Cree an ‘unfortunate translation’ – https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/mayochup-cree-translation-1.5144737

Treaty 6 Territory, Our Territory

Growing in La Ronge, Pesiw Lake and Hall Lake, I never heard of the term, Treaty 6 Territory. I would hear of Treaty Days and I enjoyed the events that would happen on that day. The whole community would get together and have events such as sack races, plank races and various other fun events. I do not remember hearing about the numbered treaties until I was in grade 10, at Sally Ross School, where I now teach grades 5 and 6.

The Numbered Treaties

I have taught my students about treaty 6, where and when it was signed, and about the year our band, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB), signed an adhesion in 1889. I have showed them the poster of the timeline of chiefs, which is available on the LLRIB website – History of the LLRIB Chiefs. I showed them the videos on the page to make them more aware of our first chief, Chief James Roberts and where he is buried. A few students were actually at the headstone ceremony this past summer. The ceremony is also on video, on the linked page.

Opens new page to LLRIB website

The students were engaged and very interested in the information. Questions came up such as, what I remember about the previous chiefs and which ones I met. I told them I had met Harry Cook when he was chief and that former chief, Miles Venne came to my high school graduation in 1995 at Senator Myles Venne School.  For some reason, his first name was misspelled, but I have not asked about it either.

I would have loved to hear about our history when I was in elementary school because I was always curious about it. Stanley Mission also has a great history, and their church, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, is known world wide – https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=2917

Books were more about the southern Saskatchewan Indians regarding the buffalo and the hardships of land being stolen and ripped away from them. After hearing so much about the atrocities of the treaty signings and the lies perpetuated by the government, I started to wonder about our history, where do we fit, in the timeline of Indigenous events.

I completed the work for the LLRIB during my time as web developer. Recently, I decided to go to an outside source for more information that I may not have heard about. I asked a friend of mine, Samuel A. Hardlotte, about what he knows of the treaty signing, below was his response:

Our 1889 Adhesion to Treaty 6 was signed at the North end of Montreal Lake it was Not signed at molanosa. The settlement of molanosa did not exist in 1889 and it later began when some white men, began harvesting trees in that area and set up a sawmill, inland, from Montreal Lake.
Our Acting Chief Sam Roberts, Hope and I visited Little Hills on Sept. 28th/19 to commemorate the historic event of the very 1st Annuity Payments. Tubby Bell was the person that took us out there.
It was an emotional day for all of us.
It was also an honour to be at Little Hills on that day.

Mr. Hardlotte is very passionate about the history of our Treaty 6 Territory. I joined him and his wife, Hope, with the Treaty Day display at the JRMCC, where they handed out T-shirts marking the anniversary of the treaty adhesion.

It was a showcase of historical documents, pictures and articles about LLRIB. It was very informative, and I did my part by displaying the video or our history on a projection screen.

I had an interesting but friendly debate with Hope during the event. She said that the separation of Stanley Mission in 1910, meant that they should not be included in the timeline of chiefs because in 1900, Peter Ballantyne separated from the Paylist to form their own band under his name, and they are not on the timeline. I argued (in a nice way, lol) that Peter Ballantyne Band is not in the timeline because they did not rejoin us at some point like Stanley Mission did. Anyway, it was a good discussion. Discussions and debates should be encouraged without the bitterness of arguments and escalated disagreements.

I am sure there is more to our history that has not been written, I hope one of these days that there is a project set up, to gather this information and present it for free, to all our schools, the LLRIB membership and the general public.

 

Lac La Ronge Indian Band – http://llrib.com/

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation – http://www.peterballantyne.ca/

Montreal Lake Cree Nation – https://mlcn.ca/