Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Graduating student and family member posing for cell phone photo

Lead in building a more diverse and inclusive community

Our goal is for CLA to be a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That’s why we’re increasing enrollment of underrepresented and underresourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints—so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Land of 10,000 Perspectives

Five people, including Aandeg Jedi Muldrew (wearing a brown suit) and Dustin Morrow (wearing all black)
Aandeg Jedi Muldrew (middle), Dustin Morrow (second on the right)

From UMN Classrooms to a Galaxy Far, Far Away

An Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) version of Star Wars: A New Hope was released in August 2024, marking a groundbreaking effort to bridge pop culture with Indigenous heritage. The project features CLA alumni and students, including Aandeg Muldrew (MA ‘22, linguistics) and Dustin Morrow (BA ‘21, MA ‘23, linguistics, Ojibwe language teaching certificate), who voice Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, respectively. This initiative revitalizes the Ojibwe language and offers a meaningful connection for Indigenous audiences, making the classic story more accessible in their native tongue.

Beyond entertainment, the project underscores the importance of language preservation and representation. Morrow and Muldrew emphasize the value of hearing Ojibwe in mainstream media, inspiring younger generations and reinforcing cultural identity. They see the film as a tool for language learning and a way to spark excitement about Ojibwe’s relevance in contemporary life. By bringing Star Wars into their language, they contribute to an enduring legacy of linguistic and cultural resilience, ensuring Ojibwe continues to thrive in both traditional and modern contexts. Read From UMN Classrooms to a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Star Wars in Ojibwe.