Solomon Ratt is a professor in the Department of Indigenous Languages, Arts, and Cultures at the First Nations University of Canada where he teaches Cree language in the Y-dialect. He created a Facebook Group called, Cree Language Videos, where he posts videos of Cree language lessons that involve: introductions; things you like to do; hobbies; days of the week; weather terms; verb conjugations; tenses; and traditional stories – stories of Wîsahkîcâhk. Since the creation of Cree Language Videos a few years ago, it has gathered over 3000 members.
The Cree Language Videos started as a way to provide both distance and proximate learners with opportunities to access to the Cree language lessons. This practical language learning tool allows students to watch the videos, to see the Cree language written out, and to hear the language being spoken.
Traditional stories in Cree have lessons on how to exist and survive in this world, how to get along with others, and the responsibilities people have to each other. It is important to hear the traditional stories in their language of origin because there are certain aspects, like humour, that cannot be easily translated to English or other languages.
To Solomon, Indigenous education means to learn everything that he can about the world in which he lives, specifically, to learn from his surroundings – from the land and the people around him. He hopes that more learning will be done on the land, that language will be brought in with traditional activities, and that we can revive the language when we revive the traditions.
Cree Language Videos – http://nehiyawewin.ca/cree-language-videos/
Visit the Online Cree Dictionary / Nehiyaw Masinahikan – http://www.creedictionary.com
Cree Language Software – http://www.creedictionary.com/software/index.php
