CREE, an Algonkin Indian tribe, or loose aggregation of bands, holding a large territory south of Churchill river and from Hudson Bay west inie Manitoba and Assiniboia. The name is an abbreviation from Cristineaux or Kinisteneaux. Essentially a forest people, as shown by the resemblance of their dialect to Ojibwa (q.v.), part of the Cree became bison hunters and have been known as Plains Cree. When the Assiniboin broke away from the Dakota, they moved into Cree territory, with the result that the two groups became allied against the Dakota and Black foot ; the latter ancient relatives of the Cree. The culture of the Cree is essentially of eastern woodland type, but lacking the maize agriculture which their habitat forbade. There are some 15,000, including mixed breeds, which was probably about their original number. (A. L. K.)