ᒥᐢᑖᐯᐤ
mistâpêw
The Cree word for sasquatch is ᒥᐢᑖᐯᐤ (mistâpêw).
The term is used to describe a hairy, humanoid creature.
Meaning: a hairy humanoid creature (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
mistâpêw
Did you know?
- While 'sasquatch' is the common English term, it actually comes from the Halkomelem language of the Coast Salish people, not from Cree.
- In many Cree contexts, descriptions of such creatures are used as cautionary tales to teach children respect for the wilderness and the unseen dangers of the bush. The name carries a weight of respect and fear rather than just being a label for a monster.
- The concept behind ᒥᐢᑖᐯᐤ is frequently tied to the idea of 'wild people' who possess supernatural abilities, rather than just being an oversized primate.
Example conversation
Two friends are hiking in the forest.
- Aᓂᐣᐤᐣᐜ ᒥᐢᑖᐯᐤ ᒫᑲᐣᐣᐣᐣ ᓂᐣᐤᐣᐜ.ninî mistāwō mākaninnin ninî.Is there a sasquatch in the woods?
- Bᐄ, ᒫᔭᐣ ᒥᐢᑖᐯᐤ ᐄᐣ.ī, māyan mistāwō ī-n.Yes, the sasquatch is big.
- Aᐄᐣ ᐄᐣ ᒥᐢᑖᐯᐤ ᐣᐤᐣᐜ ᓂᐣᐤᐣᐜ.ī-n ī-n mistāwō nunî ninî.Did you really see a sasquatch?
- Bᐄ, ᐄᐣ ᒥᐢᑖᐯᐤ ᐄᐣ.ī, ī-n mistāwō ī-n.Yes, it was a sasquatch.
