Nēhiyawēwin: paskwāwi-pīkiskwēwin/Cree: Language of the Plainsby Jean L. OkimasisPublished by University of Regina PressReviewed by Madonna Hamel$24.95 ISBN 9780889778856 This new edition of Okimasis’ lab workbook is an indispensable companion to the recorded language labs available through the University of Regina Open Textbook program (https://www.uregina.ca/oer-publishing/). As an eager learner of the Cree language I appreciate how this workbook works as a clear visual map to bridge the rich aural world of the historic language of the plains, reinforcing the fact that Cree is indeed alive and integral to both people and place. You begin to speak Cree and Cree begins to speak you, a great teacher once said, and it is true. Using this workbook, I see how my inherited languages of English and French are constructed in a less storied and inter-connective manner than the nehiyawewin way. It gives me a door into the opportunity to be spoken “by” Cree. So much of a student’s ability to enter new territory lies in the efficacy and abilities of the teacher. Jean Okimasis is without a doubt the woman for the job of sharing this whole other world of Cree with the rest of us. Her books and CDs are used…

nēhiyawēwin: paskwāwi-pīkiskwēwin (Cree: Language of the Plains)by Jean L. OkimāsisPublished by University of Regina PressReview by Marlin Legare$34.95 ISBN 9780889777675 Contrary to mainstream and colonial belief, Indigenous languages are not dying tongues. The rate of resurgence of Indigenous languages to the academic and literary realms are unprecedented and their continued existence and usage despite repeated attempts towards their destruction is a testament to the resiliency of Indigenous languages and those who practice them. This resiliency and dedication to Traditional languages is no better exemplified than in nēhiyawēwin: paskwāwi-pīkiskwēwin (Cree: Language of the Plains). This instructional piece of literature published by University of Regina Press was written by Jean L. Okimāsis, a retired Cree language teacher originally from White Bear First Nation who still actively works in the production of Cree resources for the First Nations University of Canada and other organizations. Reading this, it was clear to me that Okimāsis has a decorated background as an educator as it read incredibly structured to me. If one were to surround a class around the contents of this book, it would be a simple task to separate classes based on chapters or even segments of chapters. The book begins with an introduction…