This is a colouring book and a reference book for teaching the Plains Cree language, with Cree words for everyday words like colours, people, careers, and relationships translated into English. The drawings of people are mostly wearing traditional clothing. This resource was created in the hopes of increasing the use of the Plains Cree language, starting with one word at a time. The vocabulary is familiar to First Nations Cree People of Saskatchewan, focusing on roles at home and in the community and containing some basic rules for the language. Allen J. (A.J.) Felix, Elmer Ballantyne, Inez Deiter, Patricia Deiter, and Aleigha Agecoutay are Cree.

Other End Matter: Sound system with a pronunciation guide, glossary, explanation of Cree kinship system
Images: b&w illustrations
Contributor Affiliation: Authors Patricia Deiter (Peepeekisis First Nation, SK), Allen J. (A.J.) Felix (Sturgeon Lake Nation, SK), and Elmer Ballantyne (Little Red First Nation, SK), Translators Allen J. (A.J.) Felix, Elmer Ballantyne, and Inez Deiter, Illustrator Aleigha Agecoutay (Peepeekisis First Nation)
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - Indigenous Books for Schools

ABOUT ALLEN J. (A.J.) FELIX Allen J. (A.J.) Felix, Sturgeon Lake Nation, Saskatchewan, is an Elder, Knowledge Keeper, and experienced translator of the spoken Plains Cree language. He provided the audio and video translations used in the e-book of nēhiyawēwin awāsi-masinahikanis— A Little Plains Cree Book for Children (YNWP, 2023).ABOUT ELMER BALLANTYNE Elmer Ballantyne, B.Ed., Certificate Ed. Admin. Saskatchewan Teachers Federation), is from Little Red First Nation, Saskatchewan, and provided the written translations for this book. Elmer was raised in the Plains Cree language, is a former Cree teacher, and provides translations in the SRO Plains Cree format.ABOUT INEZ DEITER Inez Deiter (née Wuttunee) holds a B.A. in Cree Linguistics and is an Elder of Peepeekisis Cree Nation, Saskatchewan. Inez is originally from the Red Pheasant Nation and is a Residential School survivor who had to relearn her Cree language. As an Elder, she has worked as a Cree teacher and translator.ABOUT PATRICIA DEITERPatricia Deiter, B.A., B.Ed., M.A., is member of the Peepeekisis Cree Nation, Saskatchewan. She has several reports and publications to her name, a selection of which includes: peepeekisis atoyokēwina: Sacred Stories from the Peepeekisis Cree Nation (YNWP, 2021); “Tawow,” Welcome to Pow-wow Country! kā-kī-pē-isi-nakatamākawiyahk / Our Legacy: Essays, edited by Cheryl Avery and Darlene Fichter (University of Saskatchewan, 2008), among other publications.

Patricia Deiter's profile page

Allen J.(.A.J.).;. Ballantyne, Elmer Felix's profile page

Aleigha Agecoutay resides on the Peepeekisis First Nation in Treaty 4 territory where she attended school. As a Plains Cree visual artist, all creations of kise manito provide her with endless inspiration. A big influence comes from her mosōm, Robert Bellegarde, an artist himself, Indigenous artist Alex Janvier, and Métis artist Christi Belcourt. Aleigha continues to express herself through her art work, painting in acrylics and watercolours, using pencil, and also beading and sewing. Aleigha sends a big nanaskomoh (thank you) to everyone who inspired and helped her to put these pieces of artwork together, especially her former high school teacher, Patricia Deiter; this would have not happened without you! Hiy hiy ekosi.

Aleigha Agecoutay's profile page