First Nation Stories: Recent Episodes
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Snowy Owl – wâpôhow. Thanks to Solomon Ratt and our friends at the Cree Literacy Network, especially Arden Ogg, who worked with Solomon and I, to put this simple animation together. First published at the Cree Literacy Network: https://creeliteracy.org/2024/03/16/s… In March of this year, 2024, I contacted Solomon Ratt if I could animate his story … Continue reading Snowy Owl Story – wāpōhow ācimowin →
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Happy Father’s Day mitho-ohtāwīmāw kīsikāw A phrase I borrowed from Cree teacher, Solomon Ratt, thanks for all you do my friend.
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Over the years, I have heard of this show and how great it is. I have been meaning to check it out but I never took the time. I am seeing ads for Alone and there has been much hype for a Cree woman that will be one of the contestants. Her name is Michela … Continue reading Alone – Season 11 on History Channel – June 13th, 2024 →
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The Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB), has had a “a formal offer of settlement from Canada and is now working on a final settlement agreement with Canada.” The update was posted by Chief Tammy Cook-Searson on her Facebook page on April 5, 2024. You can see the update by following the link. This is … Continue reading Treaty 6 Cows and Plows – April 5, 2024 →
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I was asked to read a page off of a Cree book by Solomon Ratt. The Cree 10 class from my school, Sally Ross School, asked me because I speak the Woodland (TH) dialect, and more importantly, I have an awesome Woodland Cree accent. (Page 5) II. POLITE CONVERSATION A. tānisi? Hi! How are you? … Continue reading Excerpt: How to say it in Cree, A Book of Common Everyday Phrases, by Solomon Ratt →
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UFOs have been a much talked about subject by many people on the rez. I have heard and been fascinated by many stories of sightings and possible close encounters. It was always fascinated me to hear and feel the emotion of the story teller. Besides the stories of a previous post (https://firstnationstories.com/?p=2779), I have some … Continue reading UFOs – machi-pimithākana →
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About three weeks ago, I saw a Christmas card being shown on Solomon Ratt’s Facebook page. I decided to do a little animation of it along with audio. I showed it to him for approval and he suggested a couple of changes and then I uploaded to my First Nation Stories Facebook page. Just recently, … Continue reading Sasquatch visits a teepee →
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After all these years, I am finally published. Check out the embed post from Facebook: I am very happy and elated to get published. For awhile, I thought my website would be the only place I could get my stories to see the light of day. I built my website on May of 2009, all … Continue reading First Publication for First Nation Stories →
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Today, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, received an update from Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, regarding the Agricultural Benefits Claim. Re: Update on LLRIB Treaty 6 Agricultural Benefits (Cows and Plows} Claim – DEC 18, 2023 – https://llrib.com/re-update-on-llrib-treaty-6-agricultural-benefits-cows-and-plows-claim-dec-18-2023/ Otherwise known as, cows and plows, many people have been anticipating an update. Many of us hoped for a … Continue reading Treaty 6 Cows and Plows Update from LLRIB – Dec 18, 2023 →
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There have been new online sources since last year. It is a great time for speakers and learners of our beautiful language. There is hope for the future, as there are many learner pages and channels developed by dedicated people that would love to learn the language. Please look at the list below and feel … Continue reading My Online Cree Sources – Social Media and Websites 2023 →
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In the heart of the Saskatchewan prairies, where the wind whispered through the tall grass and the vast sky stretched endlessly, the Plains Cree people faced a time of despair. Their once-thriving lands were now threatened by settlers who sought to claim the territory as their own, displacing the indigenous people who had lived harmoniously … Continue reading Thunderbird saves the Prairie People →
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This website, has reached an important milestone, 5500 clicks in four weeks. I realize it is not a large number compared to many other websites, but it is not a mainstream site and is supported organically by followers on the Facebook page: (https://www.facebook.com/firstnationstories) . I am so proud of the growth and hope it continues … Continue reading Google Search Impact: 5.5K clicks in 28 days – NOV 15, 2023 →
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Is she just another Pretendian? I was not going to take part in the Buffy controversy. I did not even think much of her music, but I loved her presence, her charisma and representation of Indigenous people. When I heard she was a Cree, I was very proud, because I am Cree. I remember seeing … Continue reading Just Another Pretendian? – Buffy Sainte-Marie →
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When will I get my Cows and Plows money tānispi kāwi kahcitinak mostosak ikwa pīkopicikana soniyaw
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In the depths of the untamed wilderness of North America, a battle of mythical proportions unfolded between two legendary beings: Bigfoot and Wihtikō. The moon cast an ethereal glow upon the towering trees, setting the stage for an epic clash that would resonate through the ages. Wihtikō, a creature born from ancient Native American legends, … Continue reading wihtikō ikwa mistāpīw – wihtikō vs. Bigfoot →
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I just finished watching The Pretendians, a documentary featuring Anishinaabe author and playwright Drew Hayden Taylor. I have heard of the documentary before, but I did not know it was free to watch on the CBC website. Here is the link: The Pretendians 3 | The Passionate Eye | CBC Gem I had written a … Continue reading “The Pretendians,” a documentary from The Passionate Eye →
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Several years ago, there was a post on Facebook about an Indian Trust Fund in Canada. It said that it was where the Canadian Government, took their capital from when they funded Indigenous people in our country. It was a counter argument to the people, usually non-native, that money supporting Indigenous people did not come … Continue reading Canada Indian Trust Fund →
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The story of Wīsāhkīcahk and the mouse is a traditional Cree legend that has been passed down through generations of Indigenous peoples. Wīsāhkīcahk, also known as Wesakechak or the Trickster, is a prominent figure in Cree mythology and is often depicted as a mischievous and cunning character who uses his wit to outsmart others. In … Continue reading Wīsāhkīcahk and the mouse story →
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When are we going to get our Cows and Plows money? That is the question, asked by many people in the Treaty 6 territory. It is a good question, one that I ask myself all the time. Ever since I heard about Treaty 8 receiving their settlement money through the Agricultural Benefits specific claim (cows … Continue reading When will I get my Cows and Plows Money (Treaty 6) →
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As the world continues to evolve, it’s important to preserve and share the rich cultural heritage of indigenous communities. Indigenous stories have been passed down from generation to generation, and they provide a unique insight into the history, culture, and traditions of these communities. These stories have the power to educate, inspire, and unite people … Continue reading First Nation Stories and ChatGPT – Moving Forward →
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I decided to test out the ChatGPT over a question that could very well end up on a Native Studies essay question: ChatGPT Question: Canada benefits of treaty six treaty 500 words Answer: Treaty 6 is a historical agreement between the Canadian government and the Indigenous peoples of the Plains and Woods Cree, Assiniboine, and … Continue reading ChatGPT Question – Canada Benefits of Treaty Six →
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I recently made an account with OpenAI, so I could try out ChatGPT-4, it is a very interesting app. AI, of course, means Artificial Intelligence. Yes, it sounds like something out of a movie, but I am very curious about it because I have been hearing about it and how it is being used for … Continue reading ChatGPT for Cree and Story Telling →
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I went for a walk along a groomed trail today and felt a bit of nostalgia from the way the trees looked along the path. nimosōm used to take me out rabbit snaring at the trapline when I was a boy. I remember I would feel a bit of uneasiness, but he would always have … Continue reading Rabbit Snaring with nimosōm →
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There is a significant difference in Cree sounds when you use a macron, a bar above a letter (ō), or a circumflex, a hat above a letter (ô). Both make a long vowel sound, as in moose. I usually use a macron because that is what I learned in high school. Moose sounds very much … Continue reading Cree Vowel Sounds in Moose →
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isi kākī itwīcik – What they said When I posted my article about Pretendians, two weeks ago, I noticed many responses that were agreeable and understandable. However, there were many negative misunderstandings about what I meant by the term. I tried answering some comments to clear things up and made several attempts to straighten out … Continue reading Article about Pretendians – What they Said →
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nīhithiwihkānak – people pretending to be Cree I recently read a couple of posts on LinkedIn by Jason EagleSpeaker that have inspired me to write about the same topic. And this one: These posts reminded me of Grey Owl, and how he had portrayed himself as a First Nation. I heard that he lived at … Continue reading ‘Pretendians’ – nīhithiwihkānak (Fake Crees) →
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I used to go to my hometown of Hall Lake regularly before COVID. I did not like to travel much at the time but seeing my family would be worth it. My mom would be happy to see me and while we do not do the hug thing, it was nice to be in her … Continue reading nikīsikām – My Day →
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The first time I heard of Brian McDonald was in 2005 when he and others developed an immersion school in Onion Lake. I was working as a web developer for the Gift of Language and Culture website, based in La Ronge. The first song I ever heard from Mr. McDonald was tânisi, it was, and … Continue reading tânisi Song by Brian McDonald – audio clips →
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I read the term for poppy from our friends, Cree Literacy Network website. A suggested translation, literally meaning “Remembrance flower.” My wife, Jennifer, recently beaded her first poppy. I am sharing it, in honour of Indigenous Veterans Day, November 8th. Lest We Forget 2020: Solomon Ratt (th- and y-dialects)
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I made a video clip for Halloween. A ghost girl named Bethany introduces her friends to us in Woodland Cree. Animation is very time-consuming but the end product is fun to watch. Thank goodness there are multiple online sources for images, video, and audio. All I need to do is put it all together using … Continue reading Bethany the Girl Ghost (cīpay iskwīsis) – Introduces her Friends VIDEO →
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I have been sober for a total of 70 days. 10 weeks without a drop of alcohol. It has been very difficult for me, considering I used to drink every weekend. It may have been more difficult if I had drunk every day. I am happy to be where I am right now and I … Continue reading Cree Commentary – 70 Days without Alcohol →
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I have seen many posts on Facebook by survivours that did not make it home. If you are Indigenous, chances are, you have been affected by residential schools. kahkithaw awāsisak akisowak – Every Child Matters atōspīwinākwan papakiwayān – Orange Shirt When you really think about it, we are all affected in some way. We all … Continue reading atōspīwinākwan papakiwayān – Orange Shirt 2022 →
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The post atōspīwinākwan papakiwayān – Orange Shirt 2022 appeared first on First Nation Stories.
Check out my latest video, please share and subscribe. Thank you very much. Audio clips are at the bottom of the page. takwākin – it is autumn, it is fall nīpiy – leaf nīpiya – leaves mithonākwana nīpiya kā-takwākik – the leaves look nice when it is autumn nīpiya ī-pahkihtīki kā-takwākik – leaves fall when … Continue reading Video: takwākin – it is autumn, it is fall 2022 →
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I have developed a new video for my YouTube Channel, weather terms in Woodland Cree. It is based on a past post on this website. I redid the audio to include the English translation. I used many different videos from many different contributors to Pixabay.com. Please find the complete list and use what you want, … Continue reading Weather Terms on Video →
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I have developed a YouTube video of one of my original First Nation Stories, Joe and the Stranger. It took many, many hours and it is a project that I have wanted to do since late spring of 2022. It is the first of its kind on my YouTube Channel, there is bound to be … Continue reading Video Story – Joe and the Stranger →
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I have used various sounds from YouTube to try and fall asleep, from ocean waves, rivers, and lakes, to the sound of rain. I decided to get into the act for the first time and see how it goes. I like to experiment and this might be a good little project to start with. This … Continue reading Listen to the Rain Falling and Fall Asleep – nitohta kimowan īpākītihk ikwa kita nipāpathīn →
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The post Listen to the Rain Falling and Fall Asleep – nitohta kimowan īpākītihk ikwa kita nipāpathīn appeared first on First Nation Stories.
It has been 28 days since my last drink. Four weeks without alcohol, I have not gone this long without a drink in years. It was difficult staying away from drinking, considering it was one of my weekend routines. I at least purchased a 26 of whiskey, each weekend, to give me a good buzz. … Continue reading nipōni-minihkwān – I Quit Drinking →
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I am sure by now, that many of you have heard of the multiple stabbings that took place at or near James Smith Cree Nation. I was woken up by the many alerts that were sent out by SaskAlert. My mind raced and wondered if it may have been another abduction, but unfortunately, it was … Continue reading James Smith Cree Nation Mass Stabbing Incident →
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I remember way back in the mid to late 2000s, I used to drink much more that time than I have recently before I quit last month in August. Although I was in my mid-thirties, it was a confusing time for me personally. I am glad to be here to tell you this story. My … Continue reading Another Person Drinks with Us – kotak awiyak ī-wihci minihkwīmikowahk →
In the last two years, I managed to raise $240 dollars to help with keeping my website online. The assistance was great and I appreciated the support. While it is not essential or imperative for the website to be online for the survival of our language, it is important to me. I love sharing what … Continue reading It is difficult collecting donations in First Nations communities. →
I quit smoking – nipōni-pīhtwān. Cigarettes and cigars have ruled my time between activities and everything else. I had been smoking since I was twelve years old. I blogged about my past experiences with smoking in Nov 2020 (Smoking on the Rez and Other Places). I had attempted to quit smoking many times. The last … Continue reading nipōni-pīhtwān– I Quit Smoking →
Last week, I needed to draw up a contract for a deal I had in the works. I thought of copying and pasting from a contract template I found online but I decided that it was too much work. The wording would have to be edited and the contents would be out of place from … Continue reading I recently drew up a Legal Document online and it was very easy →
This evening I decided to try out Teachers Pay Teachers. I have used it before when I was a teacher to get unique lessons for my students and it was such a joy (and a relief) to find awesome teaching resources and many for free, in all subjects. The lesson I developed is based on … Continue reading I Created a Free Downloadable Lesson on TPT- I am Cree: Activities and Poster →
Today marks 131 years since the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890. A very sad history of the Lakota. Dec 31, 2021 – A Facebook user recently commented on my shared post and gave me a link to a list of names honouring the murdered people at Wounded knee: https://www.facebook.com/groups/powwowlife/posts/2141388016023567/ Reading the articles and watching the … Continue reading December 29, 1890 – Wounded Knee Massacre →
As a boy watching TV documentaries about the environment and historical monuments, I used to wonder about what our ancestors might have built. I knew we had tepees and the I remember reading about the Iroquois building longhouses and the Haida building beautiful cedar houses. My paternal grandparents used to have an encyclopedia set called, … Continue reading Pyramids in the New World →
Well, Christmas is over and we are all recovering from the huge meals and relieved that all the shopping and traveling is. I went to see my parents over in Hall Lake, they were doing well and were happy to see most of us for the season. I must have had 4-5 plates of food … Continue reading Happy Holidays to all my Followers! →
When I first started going to school in Hall Lake, Sally Ross School. I was introduced to the song, “Ninestosin.” The teacher played it on his guitar and I loved the song. The whole class would eventually learn and sing along. I was 10 years old at the time and I already used to hear … Continue reading First Cree song I ever learned- “Ninestosin” by Winston Wuttunee →
I remember standing by the stove when I was a boy in Hall Lake. Nipāpā – my father, had made a big fire to get the house warm after we all spent a few days in La Ronge. I used to observe him and eventually learned to do what he did. Nimāmā, my mother, would … Continue reading Memories of stoves, wood and my father’s skidoo →
The announcement was huge, reservations all over the United States and reserves across Canada were shocked and bewildered – NASA will be sending a rez dog to space. The big question was: why? Chuck, a big shot at NASA, was given the task of researching how a dog can stay in space and survive. The … Continue reading NASA Sends Rez Dog to Space – In my Dream →
I remember as a boy in school, Remembrance Day was always done with a ceremony at 11:00AM. We would stand in silence for a moment to remember those that fought and especially those who gave their life. I remember readings of poems and how we were given projects with poppies and graves. The poem most … Continue reading Remembering Remembrance Day in School →
I finally submitted a short story to CBC literary prizes, with 90 minutes to spare. I asked a friend of mine on the day of the deadline to go over and edit my story. She is actually a professional and I did not think to ask her sooner. The contest opened in September, but I … Continue reading I Submitted a Short Story to CBC Literary Prizes →