Jean Okimāsis
Dr. Jean Okimāsis (born Jean Lillian Littlechief)[1] is a Cree linguist who has worked on teaching and documenting the Plains Cree language.
Dr. Jean Okimāsis | |
---|---|
Pronunciation | (/ˈdʒiːn oʊˈɡɪˌmɑːsɪs/) |
Born | Jean Lillian Littlechief 1938 (age 82–83) |
Alma mater | University of Regina |
Spouse(s) | Arok Wolvengrey |
Career
In 1982, Okimāsis started work on Cree language programs at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated college (now the First Nations University of Canada). She published a textbook, workbook, and teaching grammar of the Cree language called Cree, Language of the Plains.[1]
Okimāsis has been instrumental in developing and promoting the use of the standard Roman orthography for writing the Cree language.[2] In 2008, she cowrote How to Spell it in Cree (The Standard Roman Orthography) with Arok Wolvengrey.
Recognition
Okimāsis received the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in 2000, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Regina in 2005.[3]
See also
- Arok Wolvengrey
- Solomon Ratt
References
- "Our Honourary Founders". Cree Literacy Network. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- Ogg, Arden. "Regina opens Jean Okimâsis Park". Cree Literacy Network. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- "Regina planning commission wants to name a park after Jean Okimasis". CBC News. August 2, 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
Bibliography
- Okimāsis, Jean (2004). Cree: Language of the Plains/nēhiyawēwin: paskwāwi-pīkiskwēwin. Regina: Canadian Plains Research Center. ISBN 0-88977-155-3.
- Okimāsis, Jean; Wolvengrey, Arok (2009). How to Spell it in Cree (The Standard Roman Orthography) (PDF). Regina: miywāsin ink. ISBN 978-0-9784935-0-9.