A New Testament that connects the heart languages of First Nations people
The translators hope that “the colonial language that was forced upon us can now serve our people in a good way.”
In Review
First Nations Version
An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament
The First Nations Version of the New Testament is the brainchild of Terry M. Wildman (Ojibwe and Yaqui), who served as the lead translator and collaborated with members of over 25 tribes across North America to make it a reality. This English language contextualization of the New Testament is the first of its kind, and it is meant for “English-speaking First Nations People,” “the entire sacred family,” and “all the churches . . . and especially [those] involved in contextual ministry with Native North Americans.” According to the introduction, it was produced out of a desire to connect in a culturally relevant way to the traditional heart languages of the First Nations people of Turtle Island (North America).
I’m an adult learner of Cree—the language my ancestors spoke—and an advocate for minority-language translation projects, as a road to both language preservation and surplus of meaning. So I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the ambitious task Wildman and his associates undertook—and also somewhat skeptical. I read the FNV with an eye toward its ability to navigate the contentious waters of what constitutes First Nations rhetoric and terminology without indulging in what might be seen as stereotypical or what the translators refer to as “culturally degrading simplicity.” Based on my own research into orality and literacy, I believe the translation team largely succeeded in this endeavor.
My work is set on calling Bible translators to be aware of and honest about the rhetorical aims of their translations, and I appreciate the FNV’s introduction for laying this out quite humbly and clearly. The translators also show an awareness of the complicated relationship between First Nations people and the Christian church.
