This translation has been out since 2021 and this publication of it is laid out well. (I cannot speak to the cover since I was given a digital, advanced version by the publisher.) The headings are clear and the fonts are well chosen to invoke sacredness and respect for First Nations traditions. People will enjoy reading this version and its easy-on-the-eyes format. For “students,” the margins are adequate but not great for taking notes. There are some references where other passages are quoted, but there are no cross-references to similar passages. I believe this would be a handsome addition to add for devotional reading.

As to the translation, I found it enlightening. The use of translated names (e.g. Small Man for Paul, Village of Pleasure for Ephesus) brings out new dimensions to understanding the people and places in the Greek Scriptures (New Testament). Likewise, modifying a bit of the terminology, without detracting from an accurate translation, to First Nation experience (e.g. tipis, sacred lodge, traveling by canoe, eagle bone whistle instead of ram’s horn) can draw readers from the familiar into the lived experience of the 1st century Middle Eastern writers. As the editor Terry Wildman and the committee write this is a thought-for-thought translation (versus word-for-word) in order to improve readability but still convey original and edifying intentions of the Scripture.

New or non-First Nations readers will learn from this publication by primarily reading the scripture translations and gleaning new understanding of these ancient texts but mostly from reading the explanatory dedication, introduction, prologue and glossary found in this edition on the how and why the translation committee did their work.

I am appreciative that the publisher provided an advanced copy.

Excellent example of a culturally contextualized translation

(I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)