From UMN Classrooms to a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Star Wars in Ojibwe
The iconic galaxy far, far away has been brought closer to Ojibwe speakers. An Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) version of Star Wars: A New Hope has been released in a groundbreaking project that bridges pop culture with Indigenous heritage. The film features alum Aandeg Muldrew (MA ‘22, linguistics) and current linguistics PhD candidate Dustin Morrow (BA ‘21, MA ‘23, linguistics, Ojibwe language teaching certificate) as the voices of renowned characters Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, respectively.
The film’s world premiere was in Winnipeg, Manitoba on August 8 and Minnesotans had an opportunity to view the film in select theaters a few weeks later. It will soon be available to stream on Disney+ and we are organizing a November film showing on campus.
This innovative project helps preserve and revitalize the Ojibwe language and offers a new generation of viewers the chance to watch the epic saga in a way that resonates deeply with their cultural identity. Muldrew and Morrow share how they brought their legendary characters to life in a way that honors their language and heritage.
Watch with us
The University of Minnesota premiere of Anangong Miigaading will be at the Coffman Theater on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 6:00 PM. This event will be free and open to the public. Registration is requested.
“The Force is Strong With This One”: The Importance of Language & Culture
For Morrow, being part of this meaningful project is about more than just voice acting. “When it comes to language, we need [more content in] areas where we can listen in our downtime,” he explains. “Having all these resources is going to show real-world application [of the Ojibwe language],” he continues, emphasizing how this project will help reinforce cultural identity for those who may not have grown up hearing Ojibwe on a regular basis. “We don’t have a lot of language media out there so it's a huge tool as a language teacher,” he says.
Muldrew shares a similar sentiment, finding deep personal significance in this project as both a Star Wars fan and a language enthusiast. He highlights the current scarcity of media content in Ojibwe and the community’s appetite for such content. “It’s really important because we have a big desire for media and we don’t have a lot of it right now,” he says. For Muldrew, this project is not just about entertainment, but also about providing positive, engaging content that can draw people into learning the language and raise its profile within the community, making it a vibrant part of contemporary life.
A New Hope: Inspiring the Next Generation of Ojibwe Speakers
Morrow believes that hearing Ojibwe spoken in such a beloved and globally recognized film will excite younger generations. He reflects on his own experience, noting that when he was growing up, Ojibwe was something he primarily heard in ceremonial settings. “Kids are gonna hear this and think it’s so awesome,” he says. “Being able to hear [Ojibwe] in the real world is reaffirming for your identity.” This exposure will hopefully inspire younger generations to learn and speak Ojibwe, helping to protect the future of the language.
“We need more positive things to draw people in,” Muldrew says. “It raises the profile of the language and it connects with your imagination,” he continues. New language versions also benefit popular films, allowing them to be seen and understood in new ways. “Hearing it in your language changes your perspective.”
For both Morrow and Muldrew, voicing their iconic characters was a meaningful process. Morrow found it natural to connect Obi-Wan’s role as a mentor with the importance of Elders and knowledge-keepers in Anishinaabe culture. “In our culture we go to Elders to learn, and that’s exactly what Luke has to do with Obi-Wan,” he explains, drawing a parallel between the character’s guidance and the wisdom passed down through generations in his own community. Muldrew, on the other hand, resonated with Luke’s character as a young person navigating his path in life.
Both voice actors hope that their interpretation will not only entertain but also connect with Native viewers on a deeper cultural level, inspiring them to explore and embrace their language and heritage. “I think the biggest takeaway was seeing how it’s brought the language-speaking community together,” Muldrew says.
Here to Stay: An Enduring Legacy
This project is more than just a linguistic translation; it’s a celebration of Ojibwe's resilience and creativity. “A lot of people don’t really believe that [the Ojibwe language is] gonna continue in the future,” Morrow says. “So for us who work with language, who came to the University to learn it or get tools to help, it feels like we’re pushing this boulder up the hill, and [with] every project we’re hoping it will start rolling,” he continues. “This project is just one of those things that’s gonna help make the boulder roll. It draws people in, makes people excited. So maybe in five or ten years it’s gonna get easier.”
By bringing Star Wars into the Ojibwe language, Morrow and Muldrew, along with the entire team, are helping to cement the language’s place in contemporary culture. This isn’t just about preserving the past, it’s about inspiring future generations to see their language as vibrant, relevant, and essential.
“[This project] is definitely a huge beacon of: ‘We’re here and we’re not going anywhere,’” Morrow says. It signals that the Ojibwe language and its speakers will continue the fight to cement their place in both the traditional and modern world, one story at a time.
Watch a teaser trailer for the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) version of Star Wars: A New Hope.
Media coverage
Learn more about the project through these news pieces
- Ojibwe ‘Star Wars’ arrives in Minnesota theaters this week (Star Tribune)
- Minnesotans help Ojibwe language version of Star Wars (Fox 9)
- Ojibwe-language dub of “Star Wars: A New Hope” gets its first screenings, inspiring native speakers (CBS)
- It’s been spoken in Wisconsin for more than 1,000 years. Now, it’s the language of ‘Star Wars.’ (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
This story was written by Regina Ramos-Francia Ylizaliturri, an undergraduate student in CLA.