Western Cree Bible

(Syllabics version)

About Western Cree

In reality, there is no such language as “Western Cree.” However, the western varieties of Cree, currently known as Plains Cree, Alberta Cree, Swampy Cree, and Woods Cree, have at times been lumped together under the term “Western Cree.”

About This Translation

A Bible was published in “Western Cree” in 1862 by the British and Foreign Bible Society. It had been translated by William Mason (a missionary ministering in Norway House) and particularly by his wife Sophia Thomas Mason (from Red River, whose mother was Cree), with substantial contributions by indigenous co-workers John Sinclair and the Reverend Henry Bird Steinhauer. This was the second Bible printed in a North American indigenous language. It was printed entirely in syllabics. This Bible was revised between 1904-1908 by Archdeacon MacKay and Richard Faries. This Bible has remained in use in Cree communities up to the present day. It has been out of print for several years, and there are frequent requests for copies. Minor corrections to spelling and punctuation have been done.

If you are interested in obtaining a printed copy of this Bible, please contact the Canadian Bible Society at http://www.biblescanada.com.