Region:
North central Manitoba westward across Saskatchewan and central Alberta to the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Also spoken in USA.
Alternate names:
Western Cree
Dialects:
Plains Cree, Western York Cree, Northern Alberta Cree. Nonpalatalized y-dialect within Cree-Montagnais-Naskapi language complex or dialect cluster.
Classification:
Algic -> Algonquian -> Central -> Cree-Montagnais-Naskapi ->Plains Cree
Population:
34,000 in Canada (1982 SIL), 100 United States.
Language use:
Vigorous in many communities mainly in the north. All ages. Speakers also use English.
Language development:
Literacy rate in first language: 1% to 5%. Literacy rate in second language: 50% to 75%. Cree syllabary. Grammar. Bible: 1861–1908.
Also spoken in:
USA
Language name:
Plains Cree
Population:
100 in the USA (2001 I. Goddard).
Region:
North central Montana, Rocky Boy Reservation.
Alternate names:
Western Cree
Language use:
Most or all speakers are older adults. Speakers also use English.
Language development:
Literacy rate in first language: 1% to 10%. Literacy rate in second language: 50% to 75%.
