Help bring 'My Friend Saabe' home!

Aniin, my name is Morningstar Derosier and I’m an Anishinaabe filmmaker from Migisi Sahgaigan and Thunder Bay. I've had the honour of spending most of my career as a camera operator and editor specializing in capturing Indigenous ways of life. I've felt and witnessed the healing powers of reconnecting with land, language and spirit, and have made it a responsibility to continue to do good work, with community and love at the forefront.

"My Friend Saabe" is a film that has a special place in my heart. It is a love letter to my community and a small glimpse into adolescence in a reserve tucked away in the boreal forest. A lot of the inspiration was my own childhood, and explores the balancing act of navigating intergenerational trauma and ancestral love through the eyes of a young Rez girl. And of course, the being that helps this character is Saabe (Bigfoot), an ancient being that has walked alongside us, provided guidance and kept people gazing into the bush, hopeful to catch a glimpse of him.

I'm creating this gofundme to help raise the funds for community screenings, although to me it is much more than just a film screening event. It is a way for me to honour the talented actors, crew members, and post-production wizards that came together, poured their own spirit into this project, and turned this idea into a moving piece of art that I am so incredibly proud of.

"My Friend Saabe" has already received international recognition - it has screened across the ocean at Maoriland, the largest Indigenous film festival in the southern hemisphere. It was a full house and the crowd fell in love with the actors. The film made its Turtle Island debut at imagineNATIVE in Toronto - which is the film festival that inspired myself and countless other Indigenous artists to pursue digital storytelling. But the most meaningful screenings haven't happened yet; the ones at home, surrounded by the communities that made this film possible.

This gathering is about more than watching a film—it’s about offering something back to those who shared their time and energy. I’m seeking funds to properly host this event with the care it deserves: to invite and compensate elders and speakers, include a youth drum group to open in a good way, secure a suitable venue, and provide transportation for those who need it. These aren’t just details—they’re about honouring protocol, creating access, and showing gratitude.

If you’re able to donate or even just share the GoFundMe, miigwech from the bottom of my heart. Your support helps make this event possible and helps lift up the stories, people, and places that continue to shape my path.