“I want to say thank you to everyone who worked in getting the Cree Bible to us, [the Bible] that was printed. Our people are really enjoying it.” – Bishop Lydia Mamakwa
The Canadian Bible Society works with partners to translate and revise Bibles, New Testaments, and Bible portions in the Indigenous languages of Canada.
Our partners include communities that speak the various languages, local organizations, and local and national churches.
Here’s some of what you’ve been supporting in translations for Indigenous Canadian communities.
In 2020-2021 you helped to:
- Publish a new edition of the Western Cree Bible.
- Complete the revision of the Eastern Arctic Inuktitut New Testament. The translation team is now revising the Old Testament.
- Complete and publish the Inuinnaqtun translation of the American Bible Society’s Mission: Literacy series of Bible-based storybooks.
A Force for Revitalizing Language and Culture
Among the broad findings of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission that reported to the Canadian public in 2015, the impact on Indigenous language is a major theme.
Colonial power structures greatly reduced the use of Indigenous languages in Canada, with grave implications for the well-being of Indigenous people and communities.
In many Indigenous communities, the translation of and engagement with the Scriptures is seen as strategic and valuable for the revitalization of language and culture.
CBS is eager to collaborate and welcomes all requests to engage in translation, publication, distribution, and engagement in Scripture for Canada’s Indigenous communities.
However, the full Bible was never completed. The church is asking for the full Scripture in their language.
And your gifts are helping.
In 2020 we launched a three-year project to prepare translated drafts of the whole Bible in Kanien’kéha (Mohawk) for publication, in cooperation with the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake and the United Church of Canada.
~ Bartalla, persecuted follower of Jesus
Ongoing Work Mission: Literacy
Some of our products, such as the Mission: Literacy series of Bible storybooks, can be a resource for Indigenous language classes in schools and churches. Mission: Literacy is a multi-cultural literacy curriculum proven to raise children’s reading skills as they learn 30 Bible stories. CBS helps partner communities translate the stories into their own language and make them available to children.
In 2019 we published the Mission: Literacy books in Plains Cree. In 2020-2021 we began preparing versions for Woods Cree, Inuktitut, and Inuinnaqtun, and helping a partner organization with versions in additional Canadian Indigenous languages.