First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament
Released in 2021 and led by Terry M. Wildman (Ojibwe and Yaqui), the First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament is exactly what its name suggests—Scripture translated by Native North Americans, shaped by Indigenous storytelling traditions, and offered in English for both Native and non-Native readers.
The FNV is an invitation to listen differently.
What can you expect inside?
The FNV is a faithful re-voicing of the gospel, rich with cultural idioms, relational nuance, and a storytelling rhythm that honours the oral traditions of many First Nations communities. It’s deeply grounded in the text, theologically thoughtful, and beautifully expressed. You’ll hear Jesus referred to as Creator Sets Free, God as Great Spirit, and followers of Jesus as the Sacred Family—language that resonates with Indigenous imagery while remaining true to the message of the New Testament.
The translation was shaped over five years through collaboration with over 25 Indigenous tribes, involving a council of elders, pastors, storytellers, and theologians. It’s a remarkable act of reclamation—of language, of voice, and of dignity.
As Wildman shared in a recent interview: “We’re taking the language that was once used to colonize us and using it now to serve our people.”
The FNV doesn’t attempt to erase that history. The translation responds to history with grace and creativity, offering the gospel in a form that many Native readers say finally feels like it speaks to them.
For example, where traditional translations use the word “sin,” the FNV speaks of “broken ways” or “bad hearts”—terms that remove colonial baggage and open a door for spiritual reflection, especially for those whose identities and languages were once declared sinful themselves.
Here’s how John 3:16–17 reads in the FNV:
“The Great Spirit loves all creation so deeply that he gave his Son—the only Son who represents him fully. All who trust in him and his way will not come to a bad end but will share in the life of the world to come that never fades away, filled with beauty and harmony. Creator did not send his Son to condemn this world he created but to bring all creation back into harmony and balance.”
This translation isn’t just for First Nations communities. It’s a gift to the whole Church. A fresh lens that reveals insights, challenges our assumptions, and humbles us to see how much culture shapes our understanding of Scripture.