First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament

In this excellent work, Ojibwe storyteller Wildman (Sign Language) translates the New Testament into the “way of speaking” and worldview of “English-speaking First Nations people of North America.” The result is a stimulating rendering of the life of Creator Sets Free (Jesus) and his Good Road (Gospel). Familiar characters, teachings, and stories are given new life and new meaning, including the letters of Small Man (Paul), churches in the Land of Pale Skins (Galatia), the concept of “bad hearts and broken ways” (sin), or when Creator’s Mighty One (the angel Gabriel) visits Bitter Tears (Mary) to tell her she “will be with child and give birth to a son. You will name him Creator Sets Free.” While Wildman recasts the New Testament in a distinctly Indigenous image, he remains faithful to evangelical interpretations of Christian scripture, typified in the many italicized explanations that appear throughout and are meant to add “reasonably implied” clarifications and cultural notes, such as explication on ancient festivals like the Pentecost. This remarkable retelling offers plenty of rewards and will especially pique those open to a novel interpretation of the religious text. (Aug.)