CREE

one of the major Algonkian-speaking Indian peoples of Canada, formerly occupying an immense area from east of the Hudson and James bays west as far as Alberta and the Great Slave Lake. Originally inhabiting a smaller nucleus of this area, they expanded rapidly in the 17th and 18th centuries after acquiring firearms and beginning their fur trade with the Europeans, but wars with the Dakota and Blackfeet and severe smallpox epidemics, notably in 1784 and 1838, reduced their numbers. There remain today only scattered groups, totaling about 140,000 in the late 20th century according to official Canadian classifications. The Cree assumed the living patterns of those with whom they came into contact, so that there were two major divisions: the Woodland Cree, also called Swampy Cree, or Maskegon, whose culture was essentially an Eastern Woodlands type, though their environment denied them maize cultivation and made them rely wholly on hunting; and the Plains Cree, who, living on the northern Great Plains, became bison hunters. The Woodland Cree preferred hunting caribou, moose, bear, and beaver but relied chiefly on hare because of the scarcity of the other animals; the periodic scarcity of hare too, however, caused famine, leading to occasional cannibalism (reported in tribal tales as well as by Europeans). Various kinds of fowl were also sought. Social organization was based on bands of related families, though large groups allied for warfare. Fear of witchcraft and respect for all variety of taboos and customs relating to the spirits of game animals pervaded Cree culture; shamans and conjurers wielded great power. The Plains Cree, after acquiring horses and firearms, were more militant than the Woodlands Cree, raiding and warring against many other Plains tribes. Though reportedly divided into 12 bands, each with its own chief, the Plains Cree had but one integrated military society. Religion and ceremony were highly valued, seemingly as means of fostering success in war and the bison hunt. The Assiniboin were the traditional allies of both the Plains and Woodland Cree.