Cree language
Cree is the name for a group of closely-related Algonquian languages spoken across Canada, from Alberta to Labrador. The most simplified (and largely incorrect) way to classify Cree dialects is by what consonant occurs of a set of alternations. The Plains Cree, the 'y' dialect, refer to their language as Nehiyawewin, whereas Woods Cree says nehithawewin, and Swampy Cree says nehinawewin. In some sense, this is similar to the alternation in the Siouxan languages - Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota, and is a common part of language change.Many Cree words also became the basis for words in the Chinook Jargon trade language used until some point after contact with Europeans.
Like many Native American languages, it features a complex polysynthetic morphology. A Cree word can be very long, and express something that takes a series of words in English, while at other times Cree is more explicit than English. For example, the Plains Cree word for "school" is kiskinohamatowkamikw "Know-by.hand-caus-applicative-reciprocal-place" "The knowing-it-together-by-example place". To say "he always danced like that" in Plains Cree, however, it is merely ki-isi-nanimihtow.
Both the Cree syllabary and a romanized orthography are used for writing.
A unique kind of creole of Cree and Canadian French, called Michif, is spoken by some Canadian Métis.
Cree is an official language of the Northwest Territories. Despite its apparent large number of speakers (many more speakers than is typical for a Native American language today), Cree is still an endangered language, since very few children are learning the language.