What Aboriginal languages are represented in the collection?

Library and Archives Canada has many Aboriginal languages represented in its collection. These materials also come in many formats, such as reference works (eg. dictionaries), early historical prayer and hymn books, cultural materials, kits, and training materials. Please note that some materials (such as reference titles and early works prior to 1867 held in Reserve) will not be available for interlibrary loan.

Some examples of materials in various Native languages include:

Blackfoot

- Ayoungman, V. "Student Book 1" (1993). Gleichen, Alta. : Siksika Nation.

- "L'taamitsinikssin Mark manistaitsinikatoohpiayi: good news as told by Mark in the Bible in the Blackfoot language" (1972). New York: Scriptures Unlimited.

- Tims, J.W. "Grammar and dictionary of the Blackfoot language in the Dominion of Canada (microfiche)" (1880-1889). London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

Cree

- "A Collection of hymns: translated into the dialect of the Cree Indians of 'Western Hudson's Bay', northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan" [1954?]. Compiled by R. Faries. Toronto: General Board of Religious Education of the Church of England in Canada.

- Alberta. Alberta Education. Language Services. "Cree language and culture program: ECS-grade 9: curricular program and guide" (1989). [Edmonton]: Language Services, Alberta Education.

- Anderson, A. "Dr. Anne Anderson's Métis Cree Dictionary" (1997). Edmonton: Duval House Publishing.

- Cardinal, J. "Âcimowin ekwa âtayohkewin, level 2: Nehiyawak kayâs, Manitownistam kositah askiy" (1995). Edmonton: Duval House Publishing.

- Lacombe, A. "Dictionnaire de la langue des Cris" (1874) Montréal: C.O. Beauchemin & Valois.

Dene

- Carrier Sekani Tribal Council. "Dene lhunats'odilh = Let the people gather together: conference on Indian language and culture" [1986]. [Prince George? : s.n.].

- Kasyan, M.J. Dene (Chipewyan) language classification verbs" (1997). Prince Albert, Sask.: Northern Canada Mission Distributors.

- Reynolds, M. "The Dene readers: pre-primer supplementary" [1977]. [Saskatoon: Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College, Curriculum Studies and Research Dept., Federation of Saskatchewan Indians.]

Inuktitut

- "I want to go hunting too" (1992). Iqaluit, N.W.T.: Nortext.

- "Inuktitut Senior Language Arts Program workbook: caribou" [1991]. Yellowknife: Northwest Territories Dept. of Education.

- "Inuktitut urkausiliriniq: mikilaanik rkuvvasinnilinnut 6mat = Inuktitut language arts: kindergarten-grade 6" (1999). [Iqaluit, Nunavut]: Nunavut Dept. of Education, Baffin Divisional Board of Education.

Kwakiutl

- Boas, F. American Philosophical Society. "Vocabulary of the Kwakiutl language" [1893?]. [Philadelphia?: s.n.]

- Boas, F. "Kwakiutl Indian language" (1971). Seattle, Wash.: Shorey Book Store.

- Hall, A.J. "Yik¢a q¢ay¢ilelas w¢utla sa apostles [microform] = The Acts of the Apostles" (1897). London: Printed for the British and Foreign Bible Society.

Michif

- Ahenakew, Vince. "Nêhiyawêwin Mitâtaht = Textbooks for second language learners" (2003). Saskatoon: Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre.

- Dorion, Leah et al. "Michif, the language of our families = Kakee-payshee-peekishkwaywuk-oma [videorecording]" (2000). Saskatoon: Gabriel Dumont Institute of Métis Studies and Applied Research.

- Bakker, Peter. "A language of our own: the genesis of Michif, the mixed Cree-French language of the Canadian Métis" (1997). New York: Oxford University Press.

Mohawk

- Bearfoot, I. "Ne karorouh ne teyerihwahkwathaokouh shonagarowane Tekaweanadennyouh: Skakanyadaradih t'keatyahkwayea tehodirisdohrarakouh = A collection of psalms and hymns in the Mohawk language, for the use of the Six Nations Indians" (1871). [London]: Published by the New England Co. ; Toronto: Church Print. and Pub. Co.

- Bruyas, J. "Radical words of the Mohawk language with their derivatives [microform]" [1863?]. [Albany, N.Y.? : s.n.]

- Maracle, D. "Karoron ne Owennahshonha = A Mohawk thematic dictionary" (2001). [London, Ont.]: Kenyen'keha Books.

Micmac / Mik'maq

- Haszard, G.T., Rand, S.T. & British and Foreign Bible Society. "The Gospel according to saint Matthew, in the Micmac language : printed for the use of the Micmac mission by the British and Foreign Bible Society" (1853). [Charlottetown, P.E.I. : s.n.].

- Native Council of Nova Scotia. Micmac Language Program. "Nenajik nikmaq aqq nitapk-- metalwulotijik [kit]". Truro, N.S. : The Council.

- Rand, S.T. "A first reading book in the Micmac language [microform]: comprising the Micmac numerals, and the names of the different kinds of beasts, birds, fishes, trees of the Maritime provinces of Canada ; also, some of the Indian names of places, and many familiar words and phrases translated literally into English" (1875). [Halifax, N.S. : s.n.] (Halifax: Nova Scotia Print Co.).

Ojibway / Ojibwa / Ojibwe

- Baraga, F. "A dictionary of the Ojibway language" (1992). St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society.

- "First Nations language lessons Ojibway: beginner level [computer file]" [1999?]. [Saskatoon, Sask.] : OBI Systems.

- "Moons baa geewse" [1978]. Compiled by E. John … [et al.]. Wallaceburg, Ont. : Walpole Island Language Centre.

If you would like to find out about more other language resources, you may want to conduct some searches of your own on the online interface of our National Union Catalogue, known as AMICUS Web, and available at: http://amicus.collectionscanada.ca/aaweb/aalogine.htm. Once here, click on "Search." Then choose a database (Any AMICUS Database or National Library Collections). The most general search that you could do would be to choose the "Subject Keyword" index and then type in "Indians language" (but without the quotations) as you will retrieve over 500 results. If you want to specify a particular language, you could select "Title Keyword," then type in, for example, "salish language," "dene language," "maliseet language," "attikamek language" or you can also add a more defining term, such as "reader" or "dictionary."

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