NEHI 101
Introductory nêhiyawêwin/Cree I
3 Credits          Weekly (5-0-0)

This introductory course is for students who have little or no previous background in the Plains Cree "Y" Dialect of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Emphasis will be placed upon the sound and writing system of Standard Roman Orthography, with introduction to the seven distinct vowel sounds and ten consonants. The course includes immersive portions in which students develop conversational skills, practice with fluent speakers, interact with guest speakers, and engage in land-based learning opportunities. An Elder or other fluent Cree speaker may be invited to join students in some classes. Students will be required to participate in a land-based unit outside of regular class-time. Note: Students with Native or near-Native proficiency but limited or no grammatical or reading/writing literacy in nêhiyawêwin must consult the department prior to registration. Students with a proficiency level beyond this course may be directed to a higher-level course. This includes those students with credit in Cree 30 or equivalent.

NEHI 102
Introductory nêhiyawêwin/Cree II
3 Credits          Weekly (5-0-0)

This introductory course is a continuation of NEHI 101 where students will continue to develop their skills in Standard Roman Orthography and writing with the incorporation of the 53 cahkipêhikana (syllabic) symbols that represent the sounds of nêhiyawêwin. The course includes immersive portions in which students develop conversational skills, practice with fluent speakers, interact with guest speakers and engage in land-based learning opportunities. An Elder or other fluent Cree speaker may be invited to join students in some classes. Students will be required to participate in a land-based unit outside of regular class-time. Note: Students with native or near-native proficiency but limited or no grammatical or reading/writing literacy in nêhiyawêwin must consult the department prior to registration. Students with credit in Cree 30 or equivalent should also consult the department as they may have a proficiency level beyond this course.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in NEHI 101.

NEHI 201
Intermediate nêhiyawêwin/Cree I
3 Credits          Weekly (5-0-0)

In this 200-level course, students strengthen their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in nêhiyawêwin. The course provides the tools for continuous language learning and lifelong proficiency in nêhiyawêwin. Building on foundational skills, this course focuses on conversational Cree, spiritual and cognitive elements of nêhiyawêwin and integrates various language learning strategies, online resources, and second language acquisition methods. Students will further develop their fluency, comprehension, and communication skills. The course includes immersive portions in which students develop conversational skills, practice with fluent speakers, interact with guest speakers, and engage in land-based learning opportunities. An Elder or other fluent Cree speaker may join the class for these sections. Students will be required to participate in a land-based unit outside of regular class time.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in NEHI 102.

NEHI 202
Intermediate nêhiyawêwin/Cree II
3 Credits          Weekly (5-0-0)

In this 200-level course, students strengthen their understanding of the spiritual and cognitive elements of nêhiyawêwin. By reading nêhiyawêwin texts, analyzing sentence structures, and speaking, students will enhance their verbal, aural, and reading comprehension of the language. The course includes immersive portions in which students develop conversational skills, practice with fluent speakers, interact with guest speakers, and engage in land-based learning opportunities. An Elder or other fluent Cree speaker may join the class for these sections. Students will be required to participate in a land-based unit outside of regular class time.

Prerequisites: A minimum grade of C- in NEHI 201.