Ojibway translation of 1st Star Wars movie on the horizon, with auditions in Winnipeg next year - Action News
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Manitoba

Ojibway translation of 1st Star Wars movie on the horizon, with auditions in Winnipeg next year

The galaxy of Star Wars is expanding once again as plans take shape to translate the original 1977 Hollywood hit into the Ojibway language.

Language chosen is the most-spoken Indigenous tongue in Manitoba, Ontario and Minnesota, producers say

Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill in their roles in 'Star Wars: A New Hope.'
Producers anticipate the Star Wars translation will happen next year, with plans for a premiere in Winnipeg, theatrical screenings across Canada and an eventual television airing on APTN. (20th Century Fox/Associated Press)

The galaxy of Star Warsis expanding once again as plans take shape to translate the original 1977 Hollywood hit into Ojibway.

Lucasfilm, the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council and the University of Manitoba say they've reached an agreement to record a dubbed Ojibway version of Star Wars: A New Hope.

The first film in George Lucas's popular sci-fi series introduces many of the beloved characters, including Jedi knight Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo and his Wookiee co-pilot Chewbacca.

It's only the second time the original Star Warshas been officially translated into an Indigenous language.

Producers say Ojibway was chosen because it is the most-spoken Indigenous language in Manitoba, Ontario and Minnesota, with about 320,000 speakers across Canada and the United States.

They anticipate the Star Warstranslation will happen next year, with plans for a premiere in Winnipeg, theatrical screenings across Canada and an eventual television showing on APTN.

Cary Miller, associate vice-president of Indigenous research and curriculum at the University of Manitoba, said the dubbed version will make the Ojibway language more accessible, particularly to younger generationswho carry the knowledge of the community into the future.

Voice actor auditions are expected to take place next year in Winnipeg where the recording sessions will be held. An open call is being made through StarWarsOjibwe.com.