Kalvin Hartwig Niigaanii-Animikii Inini’s journey to dubbing Star Wars in Ojibwe

Kalvin Hartwig Niigaanii-Animikii Inini, GrDip 16, a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa, credits the wisdom of his Ojibwe ancestors with shaping how he approached his work on a groundbreaking Ojibwe-language dub of Star Wars: A New Hope.

After auditioning for several voice roles, Niigaanii ultimately landed the part of Red Leader — a squadron commander in the Rebel Alliance originally performed by the late Drewe Henley. 

“When I was reading my lines, I could hear my Elders in the back of my mind,” says Niigaanii. “I wanted to channel their voices and honour their teachings.”

Released on Disney+ in October 2024, the Ojibwe dub marks the first time a Disney or any other Hollywood film has been translated into Anishinaabemowin.

For Niigaanii, the project wasn’t just about making history — it was about revitalizing his heritage and inspiring others to reconnect with their roots.

“I hope this is the first of many, if not all, major films produced in Ojibwe,” he says. “Our language carries our worldview, our values and our connection to our ancestors.”

Ojibwe has unique linguistic features that reflect that worldview. It emphasizes the animacy of beings — trees, animals and humans are all considered animate and interconnected. The language teaches its speakers to respect all life forms equally, adds Niigaanii.

Finding a voice in Anishinaabemowin

Raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Niigaanii grew up disconnected from Anishinaabemowin, like many youth whose families were impacted by generations of assimilation policies systematically designed to erase Indigenous identity. 

“In my family, our language hadn’t been spoken for at least three generations,” he says. 

It wasn’t until his undergraduate studies that Niigaanii first learned about the residential and boarding schools that sought to erase Indigenous languages and culture. He also met Elders who were working tirelessly to preserve and teach Ojibwe. 

“One Elder asked me, ‘How do we get more young people to learn our language?’ You can’t just tell them to do it — it has to mean something to them.”

The exchange stuck with Niigaanii and became a driving force in his work as a filmmaker and activist.