Woodland Cree

people

Also known as: Maskegon, Swampy Cree

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July 15, 2026

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The Woodland Cree, also known as the Sakâwiyiniwak or Swampy Cree, are an Algonquian-speaking First Nations people. Their traditional territory encompassed areas east of Hudson and James bays, extending west to Alberta and Great Slave Lake in Canada.12

The Woodland Cree traditionally subsisted on hunting, fowling, fishing, and gathering wild plants. They hunted large game like caribou and moose, but hare was a primary food source due to scarcity of other animals. Kinship (wâhkotowin) is central to their worldview, connecting people to each other, the land, and the environment. Their culture included beliefs in witchcraft and respect for game animal spirits, with shamans holding significant influence.2

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Cree
Traditionally, the Woodland Cree (Sakâwiyiniwak), also called Swampy Cree (Maskêkowiyiniwak), relied for subsistence on hunting, fowling, fishing, and collecting wild plant foods. They preferred hunting larger game such as caribou, moose, bear, and beaver but relied chiefly on hare for subsistence because of the scarcity of the…
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Traditionally, the Woodland Cree (Sakâwiyiniwak), also called Swampy Cree (Maskêkowiyiniwak), relied for subsistence on hunting, fowling, fishing, and collecting wild plant foods. They preferred hunting larger game such as caribou, moose, bear, and beaver but relied chiefly on hare for subsistence because of the scarcity of the…
Read More