Ishkwaazhe McSauby
“ON YOUR RADAR” IS A WEEKLY GRAD FILM NEWS SEGMENT THAT FEATURES A STUDENT PICKED AT RANDOM.
ISHKWAAZHE IS CURRENTLY A 3RD YEAR STUDENT AT GRAD FILM. WE ASKED HIM A FEW QUESTIONS, AND HERE’S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY:
1. Where do you consider home and what is it like there?
Home is a small part of Anishinaabe land, currently known as Grand Rapids, MI. I was born and raised there. It’s the second largest city in Michigan but tiny in comparison to NYC. Michigan is such a beautiful place, dreamlike in it’s endless forests surrounded by the Great Lakes. The land, the water, the community is medicine. My family and community are home, they keep me grounded, they cheer me on and hold me accountable. Without them, I would have no direction, no home. I miss them everyday and try to get back home as often as I can just to ground myself on the land.
2. What is currently inspiring you as a filmmaker?
My ancestors, my family, elders and youth back home, those who fought for liberation and sovereignty. Those currently on the front lines, fighting for land and treaty rights, those still actively living sovereign lives, tiny tots at powwows, those rejecting western “American” life, those rejecting imperialism and capitalism. The ones first learning about decolonization, as well as the ones making decolonization their life mission. The youth and elders who are revitalizing language and traditions to build for the future. My community back home and the community that’s taken me in, here in Lenapehoking (NYC.)
I'm also inspired by the movement for Black lives and Black liberation. I'm inspired by all the frontline fighters all over the world fighting for freedom against oppressive systems.
I'm inspired by those who use their skills as filmmakers and artists as tools for liberation.
3. What has been your most rewarding experience at NYU Tisch Grad Film so far?
The community here is really wonderful. The professors are so supportive and helpful, they truly care about us and really try to get us to find our voice as filmmakers. I’ve had certain professors challenge me on seemingly everything I’ve made, and I find this to be most helpful, these are the ones I’ve learned the most from. I can not stress how much I’ve learned from my class. They also push me, support me and challenge me, which I couldn’t be more thankful for. Our class comes from all over the globe, each person sees and experiences the world in such a unique way, all reflective in how they write and shoot their movies. It’s been such a great 2 years of growing together and I can’t wait to see what everyone does after we’re out of here. I definitely miss seeing both professors and classmates in person.
Also, in a pre-covid world, you could walk almost in any direction from Tisch and catch a movie. So many independent theaters. And all of the food! Wow. What a city. Just living here has been a rewarding experience. As much as I miss home, I really really love NYC.