Cree Version of the Scriptures

Cree Version Of The Scriptures There are two dialects of the Cree language, the difference between them consisting of the uniform substitution of certain consonants for others. One is called the Moose Fort, or East Main Cree, the other the Red River Cree. A complete Bible in the Eastern dialect for the Cree Indians in the Hudson's Bay Territories was printed in 1861, at the expense of the British and Foreign Bible Society, in syllabic characters, the translation having been made by the Reverend W. Mason of the Church Missionary Society. In the Western dialect, the gospels of Mark and John, together with other parts of the New Test. and the Psalms, were printed, in the Roman character, since 1855, the translation having been made by archdeacon Hunter, for the benefit of the Cree Indians of the Saskatchewan valley, in Rupert's Land, who had also reduced the Cree to a written system. Up to March 31, 1882, altogether 33,590 copies were distributed. See Bible of Every Land, page 448. (B.P.)