LAME DEER - The annual combined worship service in Lame Deer, Sunday, was a day 30 years in the making. Most churches there were celebrating the release of the new Cheyenne Bible.
"I get to know the Lord more, Ma'heo'o, you know, in my own language," said Lenora Wolfname, Northern Cheyenne Tribe member.
It is thanks to the efforts of members past and present of the Cheyenne Bible Translation Project. It is not the complete bible, but most of the old and new testaments.
"There aren't very many times in the state of Montana, and in other states, where Native Americans are publicly affirmed for their culture and their language," Wayne Leman, project consultant, and linguist with Wycliffe Bible Translators.
Years ago, schools did not allow Indian children to speak their native tongue. English dominated and native languages were lost.
"I lost my culture and my Cheyenne way of thinking and talking," said Wolfname.
"It's just one more step in many steps of helping the people to realize the Cheyenne language is a beautiful language and it's a legitimate language," said Pastor Willis Busenitz, White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church in Busby.
There is resistance to bible translation both on and off the reservation. Some say Christianity is a white man's religion. Supporters say politics aside; it is about what moves you.
"The most important message in the world ought to be in the heart language," said Pastor Busenitz. "In the language of the people, the language that comes from deep down inside."
"I just feel at home with the language," added Wolfman.
"I hope we can reverse the trend of losing the language and help children to learn it and use it," concluded Busenitz. A future worth praying for.
Crow Agency also has a bible translation in the works.