Political party: Isiah Yazzie uses satire, social media to engage New Mexicans in local and national government

Isiah Yazzie’s been in the New Mexico comedy scene for a while.

He was looking for the next step in his career.

He found it in hosting “Pick Up New Mexico,” which airs on YouTube and TikTok.

“There’s a Native American renaissance happening right now,” Yazzie says. “I’m a Native satirist and I wanted to create a project where I could incorporate what I’ve done before. We’ve talked about me being a host. I want to do a late-night comedy TV show based in New Mexico.”

The Gallup native has been poking fun at politics and championing social issues for several years, first on his show “The New Mexican Inquisition” where he interviewed the New Mexico political elite, including Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.

Yazzie has teamed up with award-winning producer Harry Gantz to create the online political comedy series.

Yazzie says there’s one main goal – to get young New Mexicans engaged in politics and to vote.

Isiah Yazzie uses satire, social media to engage New Mexicans in local and national government

“So many of my friends are totally apathetic about politics and voting. They don’t trust either party, and they don’t understand how their participation in the democratic process benefits them,” Yazzie says. “Most New Mexicans that I interact with in their 20s don’t even know who their state and local representatives are. The youth see octogenarians running the show in Washington. That is why I created ‘Pick Up New Mexico,’ to show young citizens of New Mexico that their vote does count, and how there is political power when our demographics mobilize, get engaged and assert our rightful place at the table in local and state government. Comedy is my medium, because we don’t like to be preached at and told what to think, or who to vote for. But if we can laugh at ourselves, and laugh at the foibles of our political leaders, we can highlight the value of engaging.”

Yazzie is using his voice and platform to create change.

His recent interview with Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and his interns showed a more personal side of the often maligned leader, as he discussed what city problems keep him up at night, and his journey from an apolitical family to the mayor’s office.

Yazzie says he has also met with Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver. He says she considers utilizing his strategies for getting the youth to vote.

Earlier this year, Yazzie convinced Sen. Harold Pope Jr. and Rep. Eleanor Chavez to spend the night sleeping on the streets of Downtown Albuquerque to bring attention to homelessness. During the evening, he organized a street committee hearing, bringing in homeless advocates and social service providers to educate our leaders as to how the state government can help to alleviate the suffering of our large unhoused population.

“I’m using humor and satire about current events to encourage political engagement. ‘Pick Up New Mexico’ is inspiring a new generation of state leaders that are responsive to the unique challenges facing young New Mexicans in the coming years,” Yazzie says. “They gave us four years of free college, and that is a start, but we have a whole other way of seeing the world, and it’s our time to enact our vision.”

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.