Living into Right Relations: March 2024

Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice News from The United Church of Canada Have you heard of the First Nations Version (FNV)?   Early on the first day of the week, Strong Tears (Mary) from Tower of Creator’s High Lodge (Magdala) came to the burial cave early in the morning while it was still dark.  When she saw the stone had been removed from the burial cave, she ran to find Stands on the Rock (Peter) and He Shows Goodwill (John), the much-loved follower of Creator Sets Free (Jesus).               John 20:1-2, FNV   In 2021, a group of Indigenous clergy, scholars, church leaders and members, published a new translation of the New Testament, called the FNV or First Nations Version. The group consists of individuals from a range of denominations and Indigenous nations in both Canada and the United States. As the quotation above from the Gospel of John reveals, the FNV is not a literal translation of the New Testament but a “thought-for thought translation, sometimes referred to as dynamic equivalence” [1] as the Indigenous group explains in an introduction to the text. They make an effort to write with a story-telling cadence, familiar to Indigenous readers. Throughout the translation, insertions may be found that help elucidate the text (such as by the bracketed inclusion of more familiar Biblical names) but also to provide contextualized information for Indigenous readers, such as may be found in other Bible translations that employ headings, footnotes, and marginal notes to aid the reader. There’s even a very brief summary of the Old Testament written in similar style to the main translation which is included as a prologue. Importantly, the authors emphasize that the FNV is not only commended to the use of Indigenous Christians but to all members of the Christian community who they hope will find the FNV insightful and enlightening in their own study of holy scripture.  [1] First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament, Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL 2023, p.ix [Photo credit: James Ransom] Decolonizing the Biblical Narrative – An Australian Perspective     Another approach to interpreting scripture for Indigenous peoples comes from Australia. Anne Pattel-Gray a First Nations scholar and “Uncle” Norm Habel, a settler Old Testament scholar have collaborated on a three volume look at Genesis and Exodus. Their work unpacks and reveals how Biblical translation itself has been subjected to colonizing forces over the two millennia since the original texts were written. They ask deep and difficult questions about how we typically have understood God the Creator as revealed in these first books of the Old Testament. They seek, particularly for Indigenous readers, to remove those colonized perspectives that obscure the original texts. Above all they encourage all readers to reflect on and be mindful of how processes of translation and interpretation themselves must be critiqued and inherent biases in these processes challenged and corrected. [Photo credit: James Ransom] Learning about Indigenous Perspectives on Landscaping     On Saturday August 5, 2023, a beautiful sunny day, 35 people attended ceremony led by Elder Larry McDermott on the lawn of Almonte United Church, Ontario. The group moved into the church to learn about local Indigenous people’s relationship with the land.  Algonquin landscaper Chris Craig shared his experience of caring for the land and the significance of various plants. Elder Larry complemented this presentation with teachings about the spiritual connection Indigenous people have with the land.    After lunch 10 members the group went to the park to plant under the direction of Sarah Craig, Chris’s daughter, who also is an Indigenous landscaper. During this time, Elder Larry distributed tobacco for people to place on the garden in a prayerful way to express thanksgiving for the plants provided by Creator. When the plants bloom in the Spring they will reflect the colours of the medicine wheel: yellow in the east quadrant, red in the south, black in the west and white in the north. They placed a bench nearby so people can sit quietly contemplating the site and beyond to the river. Given the high level of interest in Algonquin teachings, Almonte United Church hopes to follow-up with more learning opportunities for members in the future. This project was supported in part by the Justice and Reconciliation Fund. By Rev. Mary Royal Duczek, Almonte United Church   [Photo credits: The Rev. Mary Duczek] Facebook Twitter Website Email Instagram YouTube Donate to The United Church of Canada and help fund life changing work around the world!

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