Solomon Ratt is one of the newest members of the Order of Canada, one of the nation's highest honours. (Submitted photo/Solomon Ratt)

By Derek Cornet

high honour

Cree language expert from Stanley Mission inducted into Order of Canada

Jun 27, 2024 | 12:00 PM

Solomon Ratt of Stanley Mission is one of the latest inductees into the Order of Canada.

Ratt was announced as a member by Governor General Mary Simon on Thursday, alongside 83 other appointments from across Canada. Ratt, who is a storyteller, educator and author, is receiving the prestigious award due to his dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the Cree language through his literacy materials and teachings grounded in traditional cultural values.

The Order of Canada is one of the nation’s highest honours, recognizing people across all sectors of society who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to the country.

A media release explains he is a retired associate professor at the First Nations University of Canada, where he helped develop the first bachelor’s degree in Cree language studies. Ratt is also a primary contributor to the Cree Literacy Network, and his publications serve as a cornerstone for language education throughout Western Canada and beyond.

“I am really honoured to be one of the recipients of the Order of Canada,” he said, noting be was nominated by several individuals who submitted letters of support on his behalf. “I’m just really pleased and really happy about it.”

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A Lac La Ronge Indian Band member who was born near Stanley Mission, Ratt attended the Prince Albert Indian Residential School during childhood and his teens. He was able to travel back to the community every summer and still travels to Stanley Mission at least once year year.

Ratt has lived on and off in Regina since 1973 and became an educator in 1984. During those early years, Ratt and his colleagues had to develop their own Cree language materials while teaching in the classroom.

“There is a lot of material available now, which is really nice,” he said.

“Back in the early days of teaching the language in elementary and high school, teachers had to create their own materials as they went along and, in some cases … teachers are still doing that and they have to make materials for themselves to teach the language. My colleagues and I have been able to provide a lot of materials that can be used by the people, and we posted that on social media sites where they can have access to language materials. It is wonderful work and rewarding work.”

Ratt holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Linguistics and English Literature, as well as a Masters in Literature. Several years ago, he also received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.

He is now retired, but spends much of his time working on traditional Cree stories and how they can be taught in the classroom. Ratt doesn’t expect that book to be released anytime soon.

In May, Ratt’s book kâ-pî-isi-kiskisiyân ᑳ ᐲ ᐃᓯ ᑭᐢᑭᓯᔮᐣ The Way I Remember (University of Regina Press) won the City of Regina and Publishing Awards at the annual Saskatchewan Book Awards. It was nominated in a total of six categories. The book was first written in Cree and then translated into English and Cree syllabics.

“Cree language is essential for our survival as a Cree people and for the maintenance of our culture, so it is great to see all the initiatives going on with the Cree language with retention and Cree language revival,” Ratt said.

“I hope that the work continues. There’s a lot of work out there and a lot of people doing a lot of work. There’s a lot of good stuff happening and it’s really nice to see.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com