Mvskoke, ᏣᎳᎩ Cherokee Adaptations of “The Savior” to Screen at First Americans Museum

(OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.) A film about the life of Jesus will soon be shown in the Mvskoke and ᏣᎳᎩ (Cherokee) languages, just in time for Easter. 

The Native language adaptations of The Savior, a feature-length portrayal of Jesus’ life produced by GeoLink Nations in partnership with Behold Motion Pictures, will be screened March 22 at the First Americans Museum (FAM) in the Five Moons Theater.

The Mvskoke-language adaptation, titled Hesayecv, and the ᏣᎳᎩ Cherokee-language version, ᎢᎩᏍᏕᎵᏍᎩ (Igisdelisdi), tell the story of Jesus through his relationships, teachings and sacrifice. The upcoming screening event marks the first time the two Native-language adaptations will be presented together in Oklahoma.

Kyle Murray, a Muscogee citizen and Mvskoke speaker, was a voice actor for Hesayecv. He said hearing Native languages in film can be powerful.

“We hope people feel encouraged by the films,” Murray said. “When they hear our language in a high-quality film, it reinforces that the language has value and a future.”

The Mvskoke-language version previously premiered at the College of the Muscogee Nation. 

Citizens of the Muscogee, Seminole and Cherokee Nations contributed voice work, language consultation, acting and cultural insight throughout the adaptations.

“The film was shaped by local involvement,” said producer Serena Jones, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and producer of the ᏣᎳᎩ Cherokee-language adaptation. “From language consultation to casting and storytelling, Cherokee voices helped guide how this adaptation came to life.”

The ᏣᎳᎩ Cherokee-language version, ᎢᎩᏍᏕᎵᏍᎩ, also includes new scenes filmed in Oklahoma with local cast and crew members and performances by Oklahoma tribal citizens.

Jones said accuracy mattered in every step. 

“Translation, pronunciation and cultural care were priorities throughout the process,” Jones said. “The film complements language learning. It gives learners a real example of Cherokee spoken in context.”

Screenings will take place at the First Americans Museum, located at 659 First Americans Boulevard in Oklahoma City. The Mvskoke-language screening will be at 1 p.m. and the ᏣᎳᎩ Cherokee-language screening will be at 3:30 p.m.

Admission is free, but seats must be reserved in advance through the First Americans Museum website. Admission to the museum galleries is separate and not required to attend the screenings.

Following the Oklahoma City screenings, the ᏣᎳᎩ Cherokee-language version of The Savior will have a theatrical run March 27–29 at Apex Cinemas, located at 2812 W. Shawnee Street in Muskogee.

The film will have multiple free showings during the three-day run. Tickets will be available at the box office on a first-come, first-served basis, and seating is limited.