Woods Cree Stories

Publisher's description (University of Regina Press, 2014): 
Humour is not only the best medicine; it is also an exceptionally useful teaching tool. 

So often, it is through humour that the big lessons in life are learned--about responsibility, honour, hard work, and respect. Cree people are known for their wit, so the tales in Woods Cree Stories are filled with humour. The book includes nine stories--including Boys Get Lost, Foolishness, and Animals Become Friends--and a Woods Cree-to-English glossary. 

All the stories are presented in Cree syllabics, Standard Roman Orthography, and English translation and can be enjoyed by those new to the language and more advanced learners.

Author biography (U of R): 
Solomon Ratt was born on the banks of the Churchill River just north of the community of Stanley Mission. His parents were hunters and fishers who lived off the land, spending their winters on the trapline and summers fishing in La Ronge. Solomon spent the first six winters of his life with his parents, who didn’t speak English. They knew the ways of the land, including the traditional stories passed down through generations, which they told to Solomon and his siblings.

Resource format: Novel

Age recommendation: Grade 10 - 12, University

Keywords: humour, Woods Cree, Cree language, Cree syllabics, Cree stories, glossary, language revitalization, Stanley Mission, Moose Lake, teaching, oral tradition, story telling, childrearing, spousal responsibility, respect, patience, kindliness, tolerance, love, names, honour, communal consultation, communal action, family bonds, th dialect, linguistic differences, dual language, illustration, Wisahkicahk and the Startlers, Boys Get Lost, Long Ago Christmas, Grandmother's Bay, Shaking Spear and the Bear, Buffalo Wings, Foolishness, Animals Become Friends

Year of publication: 2014

Publisher information: University of Regina Press