Foreword (3rd Edition, published in 2024)
Dear readers and … listeners,
I am pleased to introduce the third edition of the “Cree Dictionary of Mathematical Terms with Visual Examples and Sound”. Now, you can also listen to mathematical terms in Cree and English. The definitions, too, are available in audio format.
The first edition of the Dictionary was developed by Willie Ermine, Ida Swan, and I. The Dictionary was reviewed and approved by Elders and Cree-speaking educators. It was published in 2017 in paper format with the support of the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv). We donated all copies to Cree schools of First Nations communities across Canada. Considering the growing demand from educators and Cree learners, Ida Swan and I developed the online version of the Dictionary and published it on the Pressbook platform in 2021. Indigenous artist Larissa Kitchemonia drew new examples for this edition. The project was supported by the University of Regina within the Open Educational Resources (OER) program. Readers can read the Dictionary from their browsers and download it in various formats. Since the date of publication in the Pressbook, tens of thousands of users have reviewed and read the Dictionary. In September 2023, the Dictionary became the book of the month on the Pressbook platform. The success of our dictionary must be considered as a part of the renaissance of Indigenous languages in Canada over the last few decades. More and more Indigenous and non-Indigenous people wish to learn these languages. It is remarkable that the newcomers and their children are getting enthusiastic about learning Cree, Dakota, Dene and other languages of the First People of Canada. I would like to provide two brief examples. Aydin Torkabadi, a graduate student at the University of Regina from Malaysia, decided to write the abstract of his PhD Thesis in Cree as a sign of his respect for the First People of this land.
Maya, a seven-year-old girl born into an Azerbaijani immigrant family, learned counting in Cree from the aunt of her Indigenous schoolmate.
The positive impact of our Dictionary, as seen in the inspiring stories of Aydin, Maya, and many others, has inspired me to continue working on it. In 2023, the Instructional Designer of FNUniv, Ting Zhou, gave me an incredible idea: to make the Dictionary audible! The Office of the Associate Vice-President (Academic) of the University of Regina kindly agreed to support our project with the OER program. The oral tradition is rooted in Indigenous cultures. This tradition has used spoken words to share stories, songs, prayers, spiritual teachings, histories, customs, and practical skills for generations. Recognizing the importance of oral-based learning for Indigenous People, we started developing digital assets for the existing open textbook “Cree Dictionary of Mathematical Terms with Visual Examples”.
First, we asked Elder Norman Rabbitskin for his guidance. After receiving his consultation and blessing, Ting started working on the new design of the Dictionary. Then, Kelly Daniels, the Knowledge Keeper from the Sturgeon Lake First Nation, kindly agreed to voice the Dictionary. My co-author Ida Swan and the Indigenous artist Lionel Peyachew reviewed the new edition and provided recommendations to improve it further.
The new edition of the Cree Dictionary of Mathematical Terms with Visual Examples and Sound is ready for you. The audio files for the mathematical terms will be added to the book on the Pressbook. By clicking on the files, readers can listen to the correct pronunciation of mathematical terms in English and Cree. The direct benefit of this project is that it will help students learn mathematical terms and Indigenous language. In addition, it will help Indigenous students feel connected to their culture. The audio files complement the existing texts and visuals, which can improve the accessibility of the material and actively engage learners of different learning preferences. The incorporation of audio files will also help individuals with different learning preferences to learn more effectively. I would deeply appreciate it if you could send me any of your comments and corrections via email: asardarli@firstnationsuniversity.ca
Acknowledgements
I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to all Elders for their guidance in the preparation of this and previous editions.
I would like to thank the President of the First Nations University of Canada, Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann, for her support of all my projects and for endorsing this Dictionary.
I thank Ida and Lionel for reviewing this edition and Ting for her creative and innovative ideas and contributions, which have significantly improved the Dictionary. A special thank you to Kelly for lending his voice to our Dictionary.
Last but not least, I would like to thank the Office of the Associate Vice-President (Academic) of the University of Regina and, personally, Shuana Niessen for their unwavering support.
Arzu Sardarli
Professor of Physics and Mathematics
First Nations University of Canada
