TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation announced today a groundbreaking partnership with DreamWorks Animation and NBCUniversal to dub the animated film “How to Train Your Dragon” in the Cherokee language. The Cherokee-dubbed version streams exclusively on Peacock starting on October 1, marking a significant milestone in Cherokee language preservation efforts.
The Cherokee Nation language program launched the ambitious project in May 2025, working with 15 Cherokee-speaking voice actors and eight Cherokee speakers from the translation office to bring the film to life in the native Cherokee language. A private screening was held September 30 for Cherokee Nation leaders, voice actors, translators, and Cherokee Language Master Apprentice and Cherokee Immersion school students at the Durbin Feeling Language Center in Tahlequah, complete with a red-carpet celebration.
The project represents Cherokee Nation's innovative approach to language revitalization by creating modern, engaging content for learners and speakers.
“We thank DreamWorks and NBCUniversal for the opportunity to include Cherokee Nation as one of its featured languages that our tribal citizens can access. This is a monumental day for the Cherokee people and the Cherokee language,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “This movie project represents opportunities for Cherokee speakers and the ability to share the Cherokee language with the world as the tribe continues to advance efforts to teach and share our language. We cannot allow our language to wither on the vine. Without continual efforts we lose that direct tie to our history and culture.”
Deputy Chief Bryan Warner applauded the newest language project by the tribe.
“The collection of our language into digital media will be here long after we are gone. We want to make sure that our language, and our voices are heard,” Deputy Chief Warner said. “This dubbed film could even be the first time that a Cherokee child hears the language. I think this will captivate the younger audience and get them interested in speaking the language.”
How to Train Your Dragon, features a story on the isle of Berk. Vikings and dragons have battled for generations, but won’t stop Hiccup, the son of Chief Stoick the Vast, from building an unlikely bond with the feared dragon, Toothless. With an ancient evil threatening their worlds, it’s up to Hiccup, Toothless, and their courageous companion Astrid to make the realm realize they’re stronger together, and only through friendship and bravery can they overcome the challenges of a high-flying adventure.
Cherokee Nation citizen Hondo Kirk, 23, of Tahlequah was the voice actor for Hiccup in the movie. Kirk is in the fourth cohort and recently graduated from the two-year CLMAP program. He also graduated from the Cherokee Immersion School.
“It took me a while to get used to Hiccup’s character, but I could relate. He’s very awkward and I can be awkward, and the unique pitch of his voice at first was difficult to capture,” Kirk said. I did love this opportunity and do hope I can play more voice acting roles in the future. My ultimate goal is to be an audio engineer.”
Howard Paden, executive director of the Cherokee Nation Language Program, emphasized the cultural significance of the project.
“It was exciting to participate in the dubbing of the film. Allowing Cherokee speakers to participate in major films opens a door and encourages more Cherokee citizens to want to learn the language and do work in the film industry,” Paden said.
This marks the second major film dubbing project for the Cherokee Nation, also collaborating on "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power."
The Cherokee Nation Language Department estimates there are fewer than 1,500 first-language, fluent Cherokee speakers over the age of 60. The tribe's goal is to graduate more than 25 second-language speakers annually through various language programs, including the Cherokee Language Master Apprentice Program.
Since 2019, Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner have worked with the Council of the Cherokee Nation to invest historic resources totaling more than $68 million into Cherokee language capital projects. Last year, the Administration signed into law a permanent Durbin Feeling Language Preservation Act that allocates a minimum budget of more than $18 million annually for Cherokee language efforts.