Here’s my advice on learning to speak Cree.
When I’m out and about, people often ask me how to say certain words in Cree. Most of the time, they’re after modern words—but it doesn’t work like that anymore.
I’m in my mid-fifties, so I’ve been around. When I was growing up, everyone spoke Cree—some only Cree. In those days—the ’70s—it was still possible for someone to coin a new word, and others would start using it. That’s how we came up with words for cars, planes, furniture, non-indigenous foods and so on.
The conditions were there to adopt new words naturally. It’s not like that these days. Now, people who don’t even speak Cree are out there trying to teach it—mostly online.
Learning Cree online can be frustrating because there’s no agreement on word meanings or spellings. A lot of so-called “teachers” use their own non-standard phonetic systems based on English. That makes it incredibly hard to learn consistently. And even though we have dictionaries and a standard writing system, there’s still no consistency. It’s not a good environment for learning.
Even among fluent speakers, disagreements over meanings and spellings are common. That’s why I block people who try to teach Cree using non-standard spellings.
So here’s my first tip: Don’t learn from someone who doesn’t speak Cree.
Second: Avoid anyone who doesn’t use standard spelling. The system used in dictionaries and textbooks today is called the Standard Cree Alphabet (SCA)—it used to be known as the Standard Roman Orthography (SRO). I call SRO “white man’s writing,” so I prefer SCA.
We already speak English. Most learners today are just trying to say English ideas using Cree words. If that’s the case, it’s better to just speak English.
Example: “I have a degree in Psychology.”
Listen to modern Cree speakers and you’ll hear English mixed in. That’s because fluent speakers haven’t coined or agreed on Cree words for these kinds of ideas.
So here’s my third tip: If you just want to speak English, then speak English.
Another example: “My name is Bernard and I am from Thunderchild, but I currently reside in Edmonton.” I’d never say that in Cree—even though plenty learners are taught to.
Finally, a young man recently came into ceremony and asked how he could learn to speak Cree. The spirits told him:
piko anima ka-kocîyan — you have to try.
Learning Cree is a rewarding but complex journey, especially given the challenges modern learners face today. One major issue is the inconsistency you might encounter online. Many resources come from people who don’t speak Cree fluently and who often use makeshift spellings based on English sounds. This inconsistency can be discouraging if you want to build a solid foundation. From personal experience, connecting with fluent Cree speakers has made a huge difference. They not only teach you the correct pronunciation but also the cultural context behind words and phrases. This cultural connection is something you can’t simply get from a textbook or an online video. Another important aspect that I’ve learned is to embrace the Standard Cree Alphabet (SCA). It’s the agreed-upon writing system used in dictionaries and educational materials. Using the SCA helps you read, write, and understand Cree in a way that respects the language’s integrity and makes learning more uniform. I’ve also realized that Cree doesn’t always have direct words for modern English concepts or modern lifestyle terms. Instead of forcing these ideas into Cree vocabulary, often it’s better to speak those parts in English or explain the concept differently. For example, when discussing academic degrees or city names, bilingual speakers naturally mix Cree with English. That’s okay—it reflects how the language is alive and adapting. Finally, the journey isn’t just about memorizing words; it’s about commitment and respect. I was told by the spirits in ceremony, "piko anima ka-kocîyan" which means "you have to try." This mindset helped me stay motivated when the journey felt tough. If you’re serious about learning Cree, my advice is: find fluent speakers, use standard spelling, be patient with yourself, and most importantly, respect the language’s natural flow. Through this approach, you’ll not only learn words and phrases but truly embrace what it means to speak Cree.
