Star Wars film in Ojibwe language holds world premiere in Winnipeg
A project years in the making in a galaxy far, far away marked a major milestone Thursday night.
Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council, Disney, Lucasfilm, APTN and the University of Manitoba held the premiere of the Ojibwe language version of "Star Wars: A New Hope."
The movie is the same science fiction classic that has entertained audiences for generations, but all of the dialogue has been translated into Ojibwe.
For actors involved in the film, exposing people to their language on the big screen is something important for them.
"I hope it gives a lot of people an opportunity to hear the Ojibwe language for the first time in a lot of spaces where they never get to you," said Ajuawak Kapashesit, who voiced Han Solo in the film.
"We have immersion schools, we have different opportunities like that, which is great, and we need more and more of those, but we need to expand the use of domains for the language. We need people to have different opportunities to hear the language, beyond just the classroom, or beyond ceremony. So, a film like this gives an opportunity for people to have it in their home for some time."
Theresa Eischen, who voices Princess Leia, is from Little Grand Rapids First Nation in Manitoba. To prepare for the role, she recorded Carrie Fisher's lines from the film, got the cadence down in English, and then tried to replicate it in Ojibwe.
She said she wants to inspire people in her community to keep learning their language.
"It's a good feeling when you know your worldview, your indigenous Ojibwe worldview, and your oral histories connected to your own communities," she said.
The film will have a limited release for the public in Winnipeg and other cities.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 hospitalized, suspects sought after 'extreme case of road rage' in B.C.: RCMP
Mounties in B.C.'s Lower Mainland are searching for two people allegedly responsible for a road rage incident that sent a couple to hospital with serious injuries, saying the suspects could be in another province.
Why is this village in Quebec facing a 370 per cent property tax hike?
Residents in the small Quebec village of Danford Lake may soon be priced out of their homes, as property valuations and taxes are set to skyrocket.
Calgary's police chief speaks out against Alberta's anticipated photo radar crackdown
Calgary’s police chief has issued a grave warning about the potential impact of further restrictions on photo radar use in Alberta.
Woman who died in B.C. jail cell had asked to be taken to hospital twice, report shows
A woman who died from drug toxicity while in a B.C. jail cell asked to be taken to hospital twice in the hours after she was taken into custody in a case the province's police watchdog says again raises concerns over the treatment of intoxicated prisoners.
James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, 'The Lion King' and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93.
Romeo Dallaire now recovered from severe infection: CTV News Exclusive
Romeo Dallaire is ready to return to public life again this fall after a serious health scare forced the retired lieutenant-general to postpone his cross-country book tour in March.
White Stripes sue Donald Trump over use of 'Seven Nation Army' riff in social media post
The White Stripes sued former U.S. president Donald Trump on Monday in a case that alleges he used their hit song 'Seven Nation Army' without permission in a video posted to social media.
Alberta protesters get 6 1/2-year sentences for roles in Coutts border blockade
One of two men sentenced Monday to 6 1/2 years for firearms violations and mischief at the border blockade at Coutts, Alta., says the time he has already spent behind bars has changed him and his "solemn weapon” is now love.
'You can't miss Luke Skywalker': Mark Hamill spotted filming in Manitoba town
Star Wars icon Mark Hamill rode through the streets of Stonewall, Man. last month filming scenes atop what looked to be an Army vehicle for the upcoming film adaptation of Stephen King's "The Long Walk."