Meet Rachel Tilseth

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Tilseth. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rachel, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from being a single mother, raising three children in the 1980s, and obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Art Education. I learned that love for my children gave me the strength to accomplish many things. I felt like the mother wolf tenaciously protecting her family while learning how the world had come about through gaining an education. A higher education gave me a perspective on the history that shaped our worldview, the arts that express humanity, and the natural world that sustains us. Through all of this, and because of being resilient, I overcame challenging times through the tools that a higher education gave me. Most of all, I learned how small I was in the scheme of things. It all had been done before I came along, and I needed to work to make it a better place here and now. I became an environmentalist working to protect the wolf, one of Earth’s most misunderstood and persecuted animals.

As my children grew and left the nest, I took those lessons in resiliency to shape my activism. As an artist, writer & filmmaker, I faced more challenges; the medium I chose to express my environmentalism was film. Producing a film meant I had to wear many hats; being resilient helped me fit those many roles. For example, I had to fundraise. As the funds came in, I had to budget those funds to fit into a production schedule. Fortunately, I had an accomplished co-producer to write contracts and help with the legal ins and outs. Finding cast, writing interview questions, hiring a crew, and being resilient made it all possible. Building a team of people who were just as passionate as myself made the film successful. Passionate individuals played many parts: poster designer, songwriter, interviewees, co-producer, camera crew, editor, and donors, all part and parcel of the effort.

As an environmental filmmaker making a film about Wisconsin’s Gray wolf population, a species constantly persecuted, I aimed to educate and dispel the myths that prevailed in our Western culture by filming a compelling story. I believe there is much to learn from the stories in indigenous cultures. After all, the Ojibwa have lived with wolves for centuries, and the story of thier resiliency during a time when the state was persecuting wolves, who they consider brothers, was a story that needed to be told.

In the late 1980s, I met the Native American activist John Trudell. His spoken word poetry-songs inspired my activism and gave me the strength to speak up about what I believed in. For example, the wolf represents more than just an animal. They are one of the most essential parts of an ecosystem. I speak out against trophy hunts because Gray wolves are iconic predators that rely on each other to survive, and killing one means hardship for the whole family. Individuals matter is a conservation ethic I learned from Dr. Jane Goodall, another person who inspired my activism. That is why I approached her to be one of the cast members in the film. The year it all began was in February 2021; the film started with the story of a devastating trophy wolf hunt in Wisconsin. As I began to film the story of people & wolves, I learned about the relationship between Indigenous people and the sentient being they called Ma’iingan, which means wolf in their language. They are deeply connected to the wolf and are part of thier creation story. The Ojbwa and the wolf both lost territories due to Western cultural expansion. Learning about those relationships made me more determined to make the film to get that message out there to the public.

People & Wolves: A Sorry of Coexistence was finished three years later through lessons of resiliency that shaped it into an award-winning film. I had to be resilient to protect its message, which meant making hard decisions during the many production phases. As the film took on a life of its own, becoming a reality, patience was sometimes tricky. I put it out there to be judged at several film festivals. It proved to be a winner in the film festival circuits. One of the highlights was winning the award for Best Documentary Short at my hometown film festival with my children, now grown with their children present to witness.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

The following is a review of my filmography from short Films Matter:
Rachel Tilseth, a passionate filmmaker and documentarian, has established herself as a formidable voice. Her work, particularly focused on the intricate relationship between humans and wolves, is not only educational but also profoundly moving. Through her short films, ‘People & Wolves’ and ‘More than a Wolf: Wolf 813’, Tilseth demonstrates a rare ability to intertwine emotional depth with cultural and environmental education.

‘People & Wolves‘ stands out as an exceptional piece in Tilseth’s repertoire. This five-star documentary is a masterclass in both technical execution and storytelling. The film beautifully captures the spiritual connection between the Ojibwe people and the wolves of Wisconsin. From heartfelt interviews to the expert insights, Tilseth weaves a narrative that is both insightful and soul-stirring.

While ‘More than a Wolf: Wolf 813‘ may not boast the same technical polish as ‘People & Wolves’, it is nonetheless a poignant and powerful film. Tilseth’s documentary delves into the tragedy of a wild wolf’s death in Wisconsin, highlighting the cultural and emotional fallout within the Red Cliff Ojibwe Tribe. Despite its low budget, Tilseth’s storytelling skill ensures that the film’s message is clear and impactful. The raw emotions of those affected by the wolf’s demise are captured with honesty and respect.

Rachel Tilseth’s documentarian work is a testament to her dedication to environmental and cultural education. Through her short films, she gives a voice to the indigenous people and the majestic wolves they revere. Her craftsmanship is commendable, from the high technical standards of ‘People & Wolves’ to the heartfelt narrative of ‘More than a Wolf: Wolf 813’. Tilseth’s films are not just documentaries; they are emotional journeys that challenge viewers to empathize with the plight of both wolves and the indigenous communities that cherish them.

In an era where conservation is more critical than ever, Rachel Tilseth stands out as a passionate filmmaker with a strong, unwavering voice. Her ability to bring various perspectives together to advocate for wolves is both admirable and inspiring. Her films are essential viewing for anyone who cares about the delicate balance between humans and nature. Through her exceptional work, Tilseth continues to educate, inspire, and move audiences around the world.

Website: www.wolvesofdouglascountywisconsin.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakerracheltilseth/?hl=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wolvesofdouglascountywisco2881

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Being a fine artist with an art education helped shape my writing and filmmaking. As an art educator, writing and implementing lesson plans was essential to getting a film off the ground. I was able to break down the process into step-by-step plans and communicate those plans throughout the production phase of filmmaking. A higher education gave me the confidence to carry out those plans into a finished film. I could dream of achieving it by building a creative team of individuals. Being an effective communicator helped sell the movie to donors. Never let anyone tell you you cannot do it; trust yourself!

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Getting the film out to the public. I need collaborators to help get the movie out to film distributors. I’m looking for people willing to buy into the film and help bring it to distributors, such as Amazon. If you are reading this and want to collaborate on distribution, please get in touch with me.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Rachel Tilseth

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