Syllabics are characters attached with alphabetical sounds.  Historians credit the invention of Syllabics in 1840 to James Evans, a Methodist Minister. Cree Legends hold a different version. Cree Legend indicates that the syllabic characters were a gift from Kisemanito(Creator) to the Cree people. Kisemanito is said to have given the characters to two Elders namely; Mistanaskowew and Machiminahtik.  Mistanaskowew, Badger Bull, was from Western Canada while Machiminahtik, Hunting Rod, was from Eastern Canada. These two Elders received this gift of Syllabics at the same time but independently of each other. James Evans learned about Syllabics from these Elders  He used these Syllabics in the teaching of Christianity to Native People. Syllabics is used among different tribes regardless of their different languages and dialects.

In the Cree Language there are four main vowel sounds that are used in the speaking of the language. They are; a, e, i, and o.  Each vowel sound has a corresponding syllabic symbol.

The syllabic symbols are;  k    ;     l     j

The vowel sounds are;  A as in ah or uh       E as in eh      I as in ee or ih     O as in O                                                                 

The remaining syllabic symbols have the same vowel sound but with a consonant sound before it. The consonants are h, p, t, k, tch, m, n, s, w, and y.