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Primarily found in Canada, the Cree form Canada's most populous and widely distributed First Nations peoples.

The Cree First Nations people currently occupy territory in the Subarctic region from Alberta to Quebec and parts of the Plains region in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

In the United States, the Cree traditionally lived from Lake Superior westward. Today, however, they are found mostly in Montana, where they share the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation with the Ojibwe. Smaller numbers reside in Fort Belnap Indian Reservation and Fort Peck Indian Reservation, also in Montana.

The term Cree that is used to describe them originated with the French, who referred to them as Kiristinon, which was later contracted to Cri, and spelled Cree in English. However, most Cree use the name only when speaking or writing in English, as they prefer to use more localized names.

Beginning in the east and moving west, the main divisions of Cree (by language and region) are the Plains Cree (paskwâwiyiniwak or nehiyawak) in Alberta and Saskatchewan, the Woods Cree (sakâwiyiniwak) in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the Swampy Cree (maskêkowiyiniwak) in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, and the James Bay/Eastern Cree (eeyouch) in Quebec. The Moose Cree in Ontario are considered a sub-group of the Swampy Cree.

Several of the Cree First Nations groups in the western provinces have blended populations of Ojibwa, Saulteaux, Assiniboine, Denesuline, and others, while the Oji-Cree of Manitoba and Ontario are a distinct group with mixed Cree and Ojibwa culture and heritage. Several of Canada's Métis people are descended from Cree women and French Canadian fur traders.

Closely related to the Ojibwa, the Cree traditionally made use of birchbark canoes, and also used birch bark in the construction of their homes, cooking pots, utensils, and as a form of writing paper.

Traditionally, they lived primarily near the Great Lakes. Abundant in the region, wild rice was a staple and was often used as a substitute for corn, which didn't grow well in the area. The Cree planted, harvested, hulled, dried, and smoked wild rice, while fish served as its main source of protein, although deer and moose were also hunted.

Largely hunters and gatherers, the basic social structure for the Cree was the lodge, a group of up to about a dozen people, generally the families of two different but related couples, who lived together in the same tipi. A collection of lodges that migrated and hunted together was known as a band.

It was a loose alliance, as lodges could easily leave one band to join another, and bands could be readily established and dissolved. For the sake of safety, all Cree families were part of a band, and expulsion was a serious punishment since an expelled family might have difficulty finding acceptance into another band.

Traditionally, there was no formal structure and decisions relating to war and peace were made by concession, with allied bands gathering together in council. Bands might form alliances for defense against a mutual enemy, but each was independent of the other. While at war, a band would name a temporary war chief, known as an okimahkan.

After obtaining firearms and horses from the French in the 17th and 18th centuries, a large group of them left for the open plains to hunt buffalo. They became known as the Plains Cree, and were more militant, raiding other Plains peoples.

The Cree were secretive about their traditional religion during contact with Europeans, but it was based on animism, which is the belief that all living and natural things have souls or spirits. They also had a belief in a powerful creator, known as the Great Manito, who controlled the universe, although that may have come about after contact with Europeans. The Cree honored the spirits through dreams, ceremonies, and rituals. Today, many Cree have embraced Christianity, while others practice a blend of traditional religion and Christianity, with traditional healing practices common.

Art and music are important in Cree culture. These include beadwork, beautiful and functional clothing, bags, and furniture. Drums are considered sacred, likened to the heartbeat of the nation.

Today, many registered members of Cree nations no longer reside in reservation communities, although the percentage of registered members living on reserve is high in the James Bay and Plains regions.

Topics related to the Cree First Nations. or to Cree residing in the United States, are the focus of this part of our web guide.

 

 

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