This doctoral thesis explores the uniqueness of Cree spirituality and law, based in part on oral histories and on Euro-Canadian literal evidence, specifically the multi-volumes of the Jesuit Relations and the thousands of Hudson’s Bay Company manuscripts that re-enforce insights into this Aboriginal governing system. Taken together, the oral and literal primary evidences will define how spirituality and law pre-existed colonisation and are manifested within self-governing institutions currently pursued by First Nations. The purpose is to understand better Cree spirituality and law as captured in Cree self-government models. This Aboriginal legal history contains and studies a plan of action for future self-governance based on inherent Aboriginal legal traditions and jurisprudence.

Through a review of literature and a qualitative inquiry of Cree language practitioners and knowledge keepers, this study explores traditional concepts related to Cree worldview specifically through the lens of nîhiyawîwin, the Cree language. Avoiding standard dictionary approaches to translations, it provides inside views and perspectives to provide broader translations of key terms related to Cree values and principles, Cree philosophy, Cree cosmology, Cree spirituality, and Cree ceremonialism. It argues the importance of providing connotative, denotative, implied meanings and etymology of key terms to broaden the understanding of nîhiyaw tâpisinowin and the need for an encyclopaedic approach to understanding these key terms. It explores the interrelatedness of nîhiyawîwin with nîhiyaw tâpisinowin and the need to recognize them both as part of a Cree holistic paradigm. / Graduate / 0290 / 0515 / artnapoleon@yahoo.ca