Resources

Cree Fonts – Quick Installation Guide (view the full page by clicking here)

Two (2) things are required in either Macintosh or Windows operating systems in order to type in Cree syllabics: (1) both a font (for the different character shapes) and (2) a keyboard (providing an input method of typing those shapes). Today’s standards require Unicode fonts.

BJCreeUNI Font Image

To learn the syllabics and to see the mapping between the roman and syllabic orthographies , view the Syllabics Chart-complete with spoken sounds (download it here)

Watch videos explaining how to download and install Cree fonts.

Most people today type using the roman keyboard where each cree character corresponds to a series of roman characters on the QWERTY keyboard. Some people still use the creeboard where each cree character corresponds to only key (on the QWERTY keyboard)

The following PACKAGES provide a keyboard that will work with ALL Unicode syllabic fonts that are presently available. (Note: These are the free versions and may not work with all applications).

Package for Macintosh:

Click here to Download FREE BASIC Package for Macintosh computers, Mac OS X (10.3) and up

This package works on (Mac) OS X starting with 10.3 (Panther). It is free, and you use the installation instructions here: How to Set Up Cree Fonts on Mac.

Packages for Windows:

Click here to Download FREE BASIC Package for PC computers, Windows 98 and up

NOTE: This software package contains a discontinued (but reliable) version of Tavultesoft Keyman, version 5.0, that installs as a package with the Cree keyboards and font. Some users have reported that it also works with Windows 7, but it is known to have compatibility issues with certain Internet browsers (such as Firefox) and Internet Explorer. Still, there are some work-arounds for many of these issues, such as using Google Chrome as your browser.)

Click here to Download FULL Package for PC computers, Windows Vista, 7, and later

NOTE: The software developer “Tavultesoft” (from Tasmania, Australia) also provides a keyboard package for Windows Vista, Windows 7 and later operating systems. It can be downloaded (above) and used for free for a 30-day trial period, after which users are required to pay a fee and licence the software for continued use.

The keyboard package itself is “freeware” but must be installed on any licenced (paid) version of Tavultesoft Keyman Desktop or Keyman Desktop Light version 7 or later. The current (2012) version can be downloaded as a package with Keyman Desktop Light version 8 ($23.99 CDN) which allows the installation of two keyboard layouts at a time, which is plenty for most users. However, if you need more keyboards installed the standard version must be purchased (Keyman Desktop Professional, $67.99).

Keyman Desktop (Light or Professional) is currently the only reliable method for keyboarding Cree syllabics on Windows Vista or Windows 7.

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