Nicole Goldsworthy
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SaskToday.ca
A new instructional book focused on the Woods Cree dialect is set to provide teachers and language learners with a dedicated resource while helping preserve and strengthen one of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous languages.
mâci-nîhithawîwin / Beginning Woods Cree, scheduled for release Sept. 1, is authored by Solomon Ratt, a Stanley Mission native, retired associate professor at First Nations University of Canada and longtime advocate for Cree language preservation. The book is described by its publisher as the first instructional resource dedicated specifically to the Woods Cree dialect.
For Ratt, a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and a survivor of the residential school system, the publication marks a return to the language variety he grew up speaking.
“The Woodland Cree book is a logical next step to the Plains Cree text. It was nice to get back to my original dialect after years of writing Plains Cree.”
Ratt told SaskToday the book was created in part to address a longstanding shortage of teaching materials for Woods Cree instructors.
“Creating instructional resources dedicated specifically to the Woods Cree dialects is important because many teachers have few resources available for classroom instruction. Many teachers have had to create their own resources as they were teaching their classes.”
While the resource is intended primarily for classroom use, Ratt said it can also benefit people learning on their own.
“The book is primarily for the teachers who are in Cree classes. It is also useful for those who are self-learning the language.”
Woods Cree shares roots with other Cree dialects but has distinct characteristics that set it apart from the more widely known Plains Cree.
“Woods Cree differs from Plains Cree in the use of the ‘th’ in many, though not all, words. Every ‘th’ changes to ‘y’ when going to the Plains dialect. There are other differences including some words not used in Woods Cree like the Plains Cree ‘sisonê’ meaning ‘along.’ Woods Cree uses ‘wâsakâm’ to express the same idea.”
Beyond language instruction, Ratt hopes readers develop a deeper appreciation for Woods Cree culture and traditions.
“It is my hope that the readers get to appreciate the Woods Cree dialect and some of the cultural practices that differ from the Plains dialect.”
Ratt has spent more than four decades involved in Cree language education and has witnessed significant changes since he began teaching in 1984.
“When I started teaching in 1984, there were few Cree teachers and very few resources available at the time. Now there are many teachers and a lot of resources available in both print and online.”
Despite that progress, he believes Indigenous languages continue to face challenges related to everyday use.
“The greatest challenge facing many Indigenous languages is the lack of use in everyday life of the languages. We need to use the languages in public events, in media, and in signage in the communities.”
Ratt said families, Elders and communities remain essential to keeping languages strong.
“Families can start telling the traditional stories. The Elders need to be recognized for their knowledge.”
He also sees technology as an important tool in language revitalization.
“Technology has made access to information about Indigenous languages easier than ever before.”
He credits both family and mentors for strengthening his connection to the language.
“First, there were my parents and my family when I was a child. Next were my instructors and mentors Jean Okimâsus and the late Ahab Spence.”
The publication of mâci-nîhithawîwin / Beginning Woods Cree is also personally significant.
According to biographical information provided by the publisher, Ratt helped establish some of Canada’s first university-level First Nations language programs. He said Indigenous languages have an important place in higher education.
“Having Indigenous languages in higher education helps the students who will become leaders in their chosen fields have a better understanding of other cultures.”
For non-Indigenous Canadians, Ratt hopes language preservation efforts reinforce an important reality.
“That Indigenous Peoples are still very much part of the society. We have not disappeared.”
He said people can support language revitalization efforts by participating in community activities and cultural gatherings.
“They can attend language festivals, functions, and ceremonies.”
Looking ahead, Ratt hopes collaboration among Cree-speaking communities and dialects will continue to grow.
“I see more information being shared amongst the various dialects which can enrich the languages.”
Seeing young people speak Woods Cree gives him confidence about the future of the language.
“It means that the language is being transmitted to the next generations. That is a good thing!”
For future generations of Woods Cree speakers, his message is simple:
“âhkamîthimok! Keep on keeping on!”
