Kayās Nōhcīn - by Mary Louise Rockthunder (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A collection of narratives as told in the nãehiyawãewin (Cree) language by Elder Mary Louise Rockthunder, spanning her rich life and extensive knowledge of her traditions and culture. Mary Louise Rockthunder (nâee Bangs), wãepanãakit, was an Elder of Cree, Saulteaux, and Nakoda descent. Born in 1913, raised and married at nåehiyawipwåatinåahk / Piapot First Nation, Mary Louise, a much-loved storyteller, speaks of her memories, stories, and knowledge, revealing her personal humility and her deep love and respect for her family and her nãehiyawãewin language and culture."--

Book Synopsis

The first published collection of stories as told by Mary Louise Rockthunder, a much-beloved storyteller of Cree, Saulteaux, and Nakoda heritage

Mary Louise (nee Bangs) Rockthunder, kīskacawēhamās otānisa, was an Elder of Cree, Saulteaux, and Nakoda descent. Born in 1913, raised and married at nēhiyawipwātināhk / Piapot First Nation, Mary Louise, a much-loved storyteller, speaks of her memories, stories, and knowledge, revealing her personal humility and her deep love and respect for her family and her nēhiyaw language and culture.

The recordings that are transcribed, edited, and translated for this book are presented in three forms: Cree syllabics, standard roman orthography (SRO) for Cree, and English. A full Cree-English glossary concludes the book, providing an additional resource for those learning the nēhiyaw language.

About the Author

Mary Louise (née Bangs) Rockthunder, wêpanâkit, was an Elder of Cree, Saulteaux, and Nakoda descent, born, raised and married at nēhiyawipwātināhk / Piapot First Nation. She was born on October 16, 1913, and left for the spirit world over 90 years later on July 2, 2004.

Jean L. Okimāsis, originally from White Bear First Nation, is a retired Cree Language educator, who taught for many years with the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (now First Nations University of Canada). She continues to be active in the production of Cree Language materials and has been honoured for her past work with a Doctorate of Letters from the University of Regina. She has had a residential park named for her within the city of Regina, where she currently lives.

Arok Wolvengrey is a Canadian linguist noted for his work with Amerindian languages. He received his Doctorate from the University of Amsterdam, following completion of a Bachelor degree at the University of Saskatchewan and a Master's at the University of Manitoba. Wolvengrey is Professor of Algonquian Languages and Linguistics in the Department of Indigenous Languages, Arts, and Cultures at the First Nations University of Canada in Regina.