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Need A Cree Translation? We Can Help.

Of all the Indigenous languages spoken in Canada, the Cree family has the most speakers. There are many different dialects of the Cree language, each with their own unique characteristics when speaking and writing the languages. It is important to consider which dialect is needed when dealing with an English into Cree translation. wintranslation is proud to offer both Cree into English translation and English into Cree translation services.

map of cree communities by dialect

This particular dialect of Cree is the most most widely spoken Cree dialect. It is spoken mainly in the regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan, but there are also a number of Plains Cree speakers in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. Plains Cree (nēhiyawēwin) is also known as the “y” dialect.

Communities where Plains Cree is commonly spoken:

  • Cowessess First Nation
  • Little Black Bear First Nation
  • Muscowpetung First Nation (also Western Ojibway)
  • Nekaneet First Nation
  • Ochapowace First Nation
  • One Arrow First Nation
  • Peepeekisis First Nation
  • Star Blanket First Nation
  • Ocean Man First Nation (also Assiniboine and Western Ojibway)
  • Pheasant Rump Nakota Nation (also Stoney and Western Ojibway)
  • Whitebear First Nation
  • Kahkewistahaw First Nation
  • Okanese First Nation (also Western Ojibway)
  • Pasqua First Nation (also Western Ojibway)
  • Sakimay First Nation (also Western Ojibway)
  • Daystar First Nation
  • Gordon First Nation (also Western Ojibway and Metis)
  • Kawacatoose First Nation
  • Muskowekwan First Nation
  • Piapot First Nation
  • Beaver Lake Cree Nation
  • Big Island Lake First Nation (also known as Joseph Bighead First Nation)
  • Frog Lake First Nation
  • Kehewin Cree Nation
  • Lucky Man First Nation
  • Moosomin First Nation
  • Mosquito-Grizzly Bear’s Head-Lean Man (also Stoney)
  • Muskeg Lake First Nation
  • Pelican Lake First Nation
  • Muskoday First Nation
  • Peguis First Nation
  • Sturgeon Lake First Nation
  • Thunderchild First Nation
  • Waterhen Lake First Nation
  • Witchekan Lake First Nation
  • Alexander First Nation (also Wapski Mahikan Society)
  • Alexis Nakota First Nation (also Stoney)
  • Enoch Cree Nation
  • Ermineskin Cree Nation (also Stoney)
  • Louis Bull First Nation
  • Montana First Nation
  • O’Chiese First Nation (also Western Ojibway)
  • Onion Lake Cree Nation
  • Papaschase First Nation
  • Paul First Nation (also Stoney)
  • Saddle Lake Cree Nation
  • Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation
  • Samson Cree Nation
  • Sunchild First Nation
  • Ahtahkakoop First Nation
  • Mistawasis First Nation
  • Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nations
  • James Smith First Nation
  • Little Pine First Nation
  • Poundmaker First Nation
  • Red Pheasant First Nation
  • Sweetgrass First Nation
  • Big River First Nation
  • Canoe Lake First Nation (also Woods Cree)
  • Flying Dust First Nation
  • Island Lake First Nation
  • Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation

The Woods Cree dialect is spoken in the northern regions of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Woods Cree (nīhithawīwin) is also known as the “th” dialect of the Cree language.

Communities where Woods Cree is commonly spoken:

  • Barren Lands First Nation
  • Bunibonibee Cree Nation
  • Chemawawin Cree Nation (also Swampy Cree)
  • God’s Lake First Nation
  • Lac La Ronge First Nation
  • Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation
  • Montreal Lake First Nation
  • Manto Sipi Cree Nation
  • Marcel Colomb First Nation
  • Black Sturgeon First Nation
  • Mathias Colomb First Nation
  • Misipawistik Cree Nation (also Swampy Cree)
  • Moose Lake First Nation
  • Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation
  • O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation
  • Norway House Cree Nation
  • Opaskwayak Cree Nation (also Swampy Cree)
  • Cross Lake First Nation
  • Tataskweyak Cree Nation
  • Bigstone Cree Nation
  • Cross Lake First Nation
  • Canoe Lake First Nation
  • Driftpile First Nation
  • Duncan’s First Nation
  • Fort McMurray First Nation (also Dene/Chipewyan)
  • Heart Lake First Nation
  • Kapawe’no First Nation
  • Little Red River Cree Nation
  • Loon River First Nation
  • Lubicon Lake Indian Nation
  • Mikisew Cree First Nation
  • Red Earth Cree Nation (also Swampy Cree)
  • Sawridge First Nation
  • Shoal Lake Cree Nation (also Swampy Cree)
  • Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
  • Sucker Creek First Nation
  • Swan River First Nation
  • Whitefish Lake First Nation

Spoken mainly in communities in the northern Manitoba, northwest Saskatchewan and the coast of the Hudson and James Bay in northern OntarioSwampy Cree (nēhinawēwin) is also known as the “n” dialect of the Cree language.

Communities where Swampy Cree is commonly spoken:

  • Attawapiskat First Nation
  • Chemawawin Cree Nation (also Rocky Cree)
  • Cumberland House Cree Nation
  • Fisher River Cree Nation
  • Fort Albany First Nation
  • Fort Severn First Nation
  • Fox Lake Cree Nation
  • Kashechewan First Nation (also Moose Cree)
  • Misipawistik Cree Nation (also Rocky Cree)
  • Mosakahiken Cree Nation
  • Opaskwayak Cree Nation (also Rocky Cree)
  • Red Earth Cree Nation (also Woods Cree)
  • Sapotaweyak Cree Nation
  • Shamattawa Cree Nation
  • Shoal Lake Cree Nation (also Woods Cree)
  • Tataskweyak Cree Nation
  • War Lake First Nation
  • Weenusk First Nation
  • Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation
  • York Factory First Nation

Spoken only in Ontario in an area that ranges from James Bay to Lake Superior, Moose Cree (ililîmowin) is also known as the “l” dialect of the Cree language.

Communities where Moose Cree is commonly spoken:

  • Brunswick House First Nation (also Ojibwa)
  • Chapleau Cree First Nation
  • Constance Lake First Nation (also Ojibwa)
  • Kashechewan First Nation (also Swampy Cree)
  • Matachewan First Nation (also Ojibwa)
  • Missanabie Cree First Nation
  • Moose Cree First Nation
  • Taykwa Tagamou Nation

Spoken only in Quebec in an area that ranges from the east coast of lower Hudson Bay and James Bay, and inland southeastward, James Bay Cree (Iyiyiu-Ayamiwin or Eeyouch) is also known as Southern and Northern East Cree.

Communities where James Bay Cree is spoken:

  • Chisasibi
  • Eastmain
  • Mistissini
  • Nemaska
  • Oujé-Bougoumou
  • Waskaganish
  • Waswanipi
  • Wemindji
  • Whapmagoostui
  • Washaw Sibi

Spoken in southwestern Quebec, Atikamekw (Nehirâmowin) is spoken by nearly all the Atikamekw and is among the most widely spoken Indigenous languages in Canada.

Communities where Atikamekw is commonly spoken:

  • Atikamekw d’Opitciwan
  • Les Atikamekw de Manawan
  • Conseil des Atikamekw de Wemotaci

Spoken in eastern Quebec and Labrador, Eastern Montagnais (Innu-Aimûn) has various dialects depending on the community.

Communities where Eastern Montagnais is commonly spoken:

  • Mingan
  • Uashat-Maliotenam
  • Matimekosh
  • Natashquan
  • Pakua-Shipi
  • La Romaine
  • Sheshatshiu

Spoken in southeastern Quebec, Western Montagnais (Ilnu-Aimûn) has various dialects depending on the community.

Communities where Western Montagnais is commonly spoken:

  • Mashteuiatsh
  • Betsiamites
  • Essipit

Spoken in northeastern Quebec and Labrador, Naskapi (Nascapi, Naskapee, Nascapee) or Naskapi Innu sometimes uses Eastern Cree syllabics and share many linguistic features of East Cree.

Communities where Naskapi is commonly spoken:

  • Kawawachikamach
  • Natuashish

We (The Indigenous Theatre at the National Arts Centre) required short translations in a variety of dialects: Algonquin, Michif, Plains Cree, Woods Cree and Halq’eméylem. Wintranslation helped us find the best match from their available translators and overall had all of the dialects we needed. They were competent, friendly, and helped us meet our tight deadlines efficiently.

Amy Ede

We contacted wintranslation to have one of our assessment documents translated into Eastern Ojibwe. The communication was easy and the translation was delivered with attention to detail and care. The very next time, when we required translation of another document into Dënesųłiné (Chipewyan), nēhiyawēwin (Plains Cree), Néhinaw (Swampy Cree) and Nīhithawīwin (Woods Cree) we contacted wintranslation and really appreciated the one-stop convenience and their capabilities in Indigenous languages we requested.

Danielle Durepos

Our organization needed several materials translated into Atikamekw and Naskapi to promote rail safety in Indigenous communities. Wintranslation responded to our request and provided us with an accurate quote and estimated turnaround time — which was surprisingly quick. Although our materials were designed in-house, the wintranslation team was happy to review all final designs to ensure there were no errors, and the layout was correct. We will definitely do business with them again for future projects.

Maryse Betournay

I approached wintranslation because I needed a series of Educational Posters translated into Swampy Cree to facilitate a broader reach to our Indigenous audience. Wintranslation made the process easy even when I was unable to communicate regularly. I really appreciated their quick turn around times (faster than quoted) and their patience with my questions about the translation (not having any background with the language). The end result are some fabulous resources that will be shared with kids and adults alike, with more to come!

Vanessa Lee

Summary of Qualifications for wintranslation's Cree Translators

Annie M.

  • Fluent in the Swampy Cree dialect, having spoken the language her entire life
  • Over 15 years of experience as an interpreter and translator for English into Cree languages
  • Active First Nations member who has taught the Swampy Cree language

Darren O.

  • Holds a degree from the University of Regina in Indian Education and Language Arts as well as in Cree Linguistics
  • Fluent in the Plains Cree dialect and has been involved in creating a  Cree curriculum for schools in Saskatchewan
  • Has 20 years of experience in the field of education, specializing in Cree language subjects

Cree Translation Portfolio

Cree Translation Projects We've Previously Completed

Choose wintranslation

An award-winning translation service provider based in North America, wintranslation has a fifteen year track record in managing complex multimedia and large-scale projects on time and on budget. Our company specializes in the translation of Canada’s Indigenous languages including AlgonquinMontagnais, Inuktitut and Ojibwe. Please see our languages page for a full list of languages and dialects we currently support.

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