Indigenous Languages 

In the archives we have many textual records, books, and sound recordings that can provide insight on several Indigenous languages. Most of the information we have is on the Îethka îabi (Stoney Nakoda language), Siksikáí’powahsin (Blackfoot language) and Nehiyawewin (Cree language), however, information on other Indigenous languages can also be found in our archives with further research.  

 

It is important to note here that some of the sound recordings we hold may be restricted to the public out of privacy and respect for the individuals and communities the information pertains to. For more information on these protocols or to request any materials, contact the archives at hicr@whyte.org.

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ÎETHKA ÎABI - STONEY NAKODA

Our library holds several books on Îethka îabi for educational purposes. Examples of some of these books include Ne I^ethka Makochi^ Chach = This is our home, Nako´n-i'a wo! = Beginning Nakoda and I^ya^ Sa Wiya^ Wahogu-kiybi Cha = Red Mountain Woman receives a teaching.

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A great place to find examples of the oral language is within sound recordings. In these sound recordings there are records of Îethka îabi speakers using the language, especially in song. Many of these recordings can be found by searching “Stoney Nakoda sound recordings” into our database and are available for listening to upon request from the archives. There are also newspaper articles on language kept in our newsfile section titled Stoney-Iyârhe Nakoda Language. Other places to find use of the Îethka îabi may be in textual records including letters written by Îethka îabi speakers. 

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SIKSIKÁI'POWASHIN - BLACKFOOT

There are books in our library about Siksikáí’powahsin, some of which are also written in the language; examples of these include A´kaitsinikssiistsi = Blackfoot stories of old and A'pistotooki kii Ihkitsik Kaawa?pomaahkaa = Creator and the seven animals, why are we here. Another place to look is in our newsfile sections where we have a file of newspaper clippings titled Blackfoot Language. 

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NEHIYAWEWIN - CREE

Our archives holds a number of useful books on the use and understanding of Nehiyawewin and Cree syllabics. There are many books that examine the language itself and the syllabic writing system such as Cree vocabulary, Plains Cree: a grammatical study and James Evans: inventor of the syllabic system of the Cree language. There are several Nehiyawewin dictionaries in our collections such as A dictionary of the Cree language. As spoken by the Indians in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta and Plains Cree dictionary in the "Y" dialect. We even hold a bible from 1861 that is possibly the first copy printed in Nehiyawewin.

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Other mentions or use of the language can be found in textual records from sources like Catharine Whyte's letters or in our newsfiles under Cree Language. 

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For more information on these and other Indigenous languages we have in our archives, search our online database and check out Research Tips to get an idea of where to look.