Short stuff

The 3100 Dogrib people living in Northwest Territories now have the New Testament in their own language, thanks to a partnership which included Canadian Bible Society and Wycliffe Bible Translators of Canada. The dedication was held Aug. 23, coinciding with the Annual Dogrib Assembly. On Aug. 25 Prime Minister Jean Chretien signed a land claims agreement that gives the Dogrib people extensive control over 39,900 square kilometres between Great Slake Lake and Great Bear Lake, as well as self-government.

—WBT release

Barbara Claassen Smucker, award-winning children’s author, died July 29 in Bluffton, Oh. Smucker’s first book, Henry’s Red Sea, was published by Herald Press in 1955 and remains in print. Her book, Underground to Canada, was named one of the 50 best books of all time in Canada.

—The Mennonite

A Christian television broadcast ministry to Iran celebrated its first anniversary Sept. 12. Each week an estimated 175,000 Christians in or near Iran can tune in to Iranian Christian Broadcasting’s programs. ICB is currently broadcasting six hours a week.

—Evangelical Press News Service

“Listen Up,” a TV show featuring a Christian view of news and current affairs in Canada, began airing on Global TV after being part of “100 Huntley Street” for 5 years. Lorna Dueck continues to host the show. Dueck has also been invited to take a monthly feature spot in The Globe and Mail to share her faith views. Information on telecast times available at listenuptv.com.

—ChristianWeek

A new magazine for girls has hit the stands. Revolve looks like any other teen magazine, with quizzes, beauty tips, a calendar, and articles, but it also contains the whole New Testament in a modern version, together with summaries of Bible women and basic information about the New Testament.

—ChristianWeek, Thomas Nelson

Big Idea Productions, Inc., creator of the VeggieTales characters, announced it has filed for bankruptcy. Copyrights to VeggieTales were sold to Classic Media LLC, a company that owns or manages media properties such as “Lassie,” “The Lone Ranger and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Spokespeople for Big Idea say that a new business plan for the company will allow it to focus on story ideas and pre-production, and outsourcing the animation and post-production. An Easter special is due out next February.

—Evangelical Press News Service

“What the Bible is all about,” the Henrietta C. Mears classic, is being made available to Vietnamese Christians by Gospel Light Worldwide and Vietnam Ministries, Inc. Gospel Light Worldwide is also in the process of contextualizing Bible curriculum for the children of Vietnam. The first course will be ready by the middle of 2004.

—Evangelical Christian Publishers Association