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, in August and Minnesotans had an opportunity to view the film in select theaters a few weeks later. Soon it will be available to stream on Disney+, while the University of Minnesota premiere will be at the Coffman Theater on Nov. 14, 6 p.m., free of charge.
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.
The importance of language and culture
For Morrow, being part of the project was about more than just voice acting. “We don’t have a lot of language media out there, so it's a huge tool as a language teacher,” he says. “[It’s] going to show real-world application [of the Ojibwe language].”
Morrow believes that hearing Ojibwe spoken in such a beloved and globally recognized film will also 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.”
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. 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,” says Muldrew.
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,” says Morrow. 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.
This story was adapted from the original at the College of Liberal Arts
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