The Story of the First Nations Version Project

Authors

  • Terry M. Wildman

Keywords:

Bible translation, First Nations, Native American, Decolonization, Contextualization

Abstract

This paper shares the story behind the development of the First Nations Version (FNV) Bible translation project through the ministry journey of Terry Wildman. The project grew out of years of work among Native communities, where commonly used English Bible translations often did not connect well culturally. Early efforts to retell Scripture in ways that reflect Native ways of speaking turned into a strong desire for a more meaningful and relevant translation.Because many Native people today primarily speak English rather than their tribal languages, the FNV was developed as an English translation shaped by Native cultural thought and storytelling patterns. What began as a grassroots effort developed into a collaborative project involving a diverse indigenous translation council and community review process. The FNV New Testament was published in 2021, followed by Psalms and Proverbs in 2025, with work continuing on the full Bible. As the first known English translation created by Native North American people for Native people, the FNV serves as both a ministry resource and a contribution to broader Bible translation efforts.

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Published

2026-04-25

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 46 (2026): HOLY GROUND: PLACE, PRESENCE, AND FORMATION FOR MINISTRY

Section

ARTICLES

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