Nehiyaw

Nehiyaw is the endonym used by Cree peoples to refer to themselves and their language. In English-language contexts, the term Cree is often used. Nehiyaw translates roughly as "the people" and is used across many Cree-speaking communities to identify themselves and their language.

Language: Nehiyawâwin, commonly called Cree, comprises several dialects such as Plains Cree, Woods Cree, Swampy Cree, and Moose Cree. Cree syllabics, developed in the 1840s, are used in many communities alongside Latin-based orthographies. The language remains a core element of Cree identity and is the subject of ongoing revival and education programs.

Geography and history: Cree people traditionally inhabited vast territories across the plains and boreal regions of Canada, from the Northwest Territories to Quebec. Today, Cree communities are concentrated in Saskatchewan and Alberta, with substantial populations in Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, and smaller groups in northern regions and parts of the United States. The Cree participated in the fur trade and formed treaty relationships with the Crown, reflecting a long history of intercultural contact and adaptation.

Cultural life: Cree culture includes kinship networks, storytelling, beadwork and quillwork, music, and ceremonial practices. Contemporary Cree communities exercise self-governance through bands and tribal councils and engage in language preservation, education, land rights, and cultural programs.