Guest post by Jenny Andrews*
* Jenny Andrews is a copyeditor for CLEBC and a linguaphile with her heritage languages (Ukrainian and Michif) close to her heart. She is active in her Métis community, involved in Michif French revitalization, and is also currently learning Southern Michif. Jenny also enjoys beading, noodles, and tiny dogs.
December 18, 2025
PUT RECONCILIATION INTO ACTION this winter and enroll in a free, online Southern Michif course.
The course is introductory and welcomes all learners (you don’t have to be Métis or Indigenous at all to register).
Michif languages are traditionally spoken by Métis people. There are three living Michif languages, all of which are critically endangered: Southern Michif, Northern Michif, and Michif French.
Southern Michif uses mostly Plains-Cree verbs and French nouns, but also borrows nouns from English, Saulteaux, and Cree … [and] is most associated with communities in southern Saskatchewan and North Dakota. Southern Michif may also be referred to as Heritage Michif, Mixed Michif, or Turtle Mountain Chippewa Cree.
Northern Michif is a mostly Cree-based Michif language, with fewer French nouns than Southern Michif or Michif French. Northern Michif has historically been spoken in Northwestern Saskatchewan and Northern Alberta. Northern Michif may also be referred to as Michif-Cree or Île-à-la-Crosse Michif.
Michif French is based on a Western Canadian dialect of French, with some Saulteaux and Cree words. Michif French has historically been tied to communities like St. Laurent and St. Eustache in Manitoba. Michif French may also be referred to as French Michif.
(Amelia Douglas Institute, “Michif Language”)
The Outdoor Learning School recommends that non-Indigenous learners reflect on the following upon registration: “Non-Indigenous Learners in Indigenous Language Courses”.
Space is limited in this course, so register now!
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We acknowledge that the land on which we work is the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.