Why the Navajo-dubbed ‘Star Wars’ film is celebrated on May 4
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Prior to colonial contact, about 300 unique Native languages existed across North America, also referred to as Turtle Island. The Indigenous Language Institute estimates that only 20 of those will still be spoken by 2050.
Saturday is May 4, which sounds like "May the Fourth Be With You" to "Star Wars" fans, and one effort to help keep the Navajo language alive can be observed on this unofficial holiday, which is celebrated among fans of the iconic sci-fi franchise.
This space opera set in a galaxy far, far away, and its concept of the Force — a mysterious energy field that binds all living things together — resonates on the Navajo Nation.
Even across the rest of Indian Country.
“There’s this philosophy of how the universe is connected through the Force,” said Manny Wheeler. “And I think, generally speaking, that’s how Native people feel about our environment. Nature is something that we are part of, and is not just a resource.”
It was Wheeler, then-executive director of the Navajo Nation Museum, whose dream of dubbing “Star Wars: A New Hope” in Navajo became reality more than a decade ago. His ambitious vision finally materialized after 16 long years of waiting for Lucasfilm to answer his frequent pleas to translate this movie in the Navajo language, also known as Diné Bizaad.
“Lucasfilm gave us a hand up to be part of their universe,” said Wheeler. “That really meant a lot to our Native people, you know, for us to be accepted.”
Wheeler remembered watching his mother, who spoke little English, react to his Navajo project at the premiere screening inside a Window Rock rodeo arena back in 2013.
“Obi-Wan was her favorite character; he’s talking about these traditional beliefs,” said Wheeler. “Obi-Wan really has that definite Navajo elder quality, just the way he presents himself, how he greets Luke. That’s a big reason why 'Star Wars' resonated with our Navajo people.”
This Navajo version of the original 1977 Hollywood blockbuster can be streamed on Disney+ by navigating to the extras section under the listing of “Star Wars: A New Hope.” Now, Wheeler encourages both Native and non-Native fans to seek it out.
“For those who want to participate in ‘May the Fourth,’ you can watch it in one of the original out of hundreds of Native languages that were on this continent,” Wheeler elaborated, “just a cool way to be aware of our people, be aware of the idea that our languages are endangered. And at the same time, watch one of the greatest films to be made.”
But streaming media content is still a widespread obstacle on the reservation, with only less than 4% of those living on the Navajo Nation having access to the most basic wireline broadband, according to the Federal Communications Commission and National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Despite watching it so many times, and even memorizing portions of it, Wheeler shared that one of his favorite scenes from “A New Hope” takes place on the desert planet of Tatooine and its twin suns.
“That part where Luke's about to leave his farm, and he’s staring off into the horizon. It still means something to me,” said Wheeler. “It’s giving me hope that our language has a future.”
Today, Navajo is spoken by an estimated 170,000 people nationwide.
