How to Say “Happy New Year” in Cree

By Will Levi • Updated October 1, 2026

Minopipon

Minopipon is the Cree phrase for Happy New Year.

Minopipon is used as a greeting to wish someone a Happy New Year.

Meaning: Happy New Year (phrase)

What does it mean word for word?

Literally, Minopipon means 'it is good' or 'it is well'.

Did you know?

Cree is a polysynthetic language, meaning a single word like Minopipon can function as an entire sentence in English.
Many Cree communities celebrate the New Year during the winter solstice or the first new moon of the year rather than on January 1st.
The root mino in Minopipon is used in many Cree words for wellness and morality, such as minowatisiwin meaning 'living well'.

Example conversation

Two friends meet on January first.

A

Tânisi! Minopipon!
Tanisi! Minopipon!
Hello! Happy New Year!
B

Kîyâmâw, minopipon!
Kiyamao, minopipon!
You too, happy new year!
A

Kî-kîyâw kâ-nistîsîyik.
Ki-kiyao ka-nistisiyik.
I hope we are well.
B

Êyâm, kî-kîyâw.
Eyam, ki-kiyao.
Yes, I hope so too.

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About The Author

Will Levi

Hello there! I'm Will, your friendly neighbourhood guide on all things Cree. As an avid adventurer, I harbour a deep passion for the Cree language, evident in my comprehensive guides on expressing ourselves in this beautifully rich tongue. Whether you're learning how to say "Amen", "I love you, Mom" or even "White Woman", you're in good hands with me. When I'm not etching words in the Cree language, I'm usually chasing the "Moon" (ᐯᐦᑯᔭᐤ pîhkoya) into interesting new forests or paddling my "Canoe" (ᒋᒋᓂᐢ seeseenis) across quiet, serene lakes. Blackfoot is spoken not far from Cree, and it has become another language close to my heart, so you will now find my guides to Blackfoot here too. Join me on my linguistic-adventures. Awâsis ᐊᐋ wasis!

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