“Photography for me is a way to connect to people and the places that I go.” – Alex Hamer
Alex Hamer and I go back about 15 years, and together, we have been on the frontlines of some of the most intense Indian Country stories. We both attended White House events, the most intense of protests related to the Keystone XL pipeline and much more.
As a former editor at Indian Country Today and now Native Viewpoint, Alex Hamer has submitted to me what I believe to be some of the most beautiful photography I have ever seen. I was proud to ask him to contribute to Native Viewpoint, as you will see below. I am sure you will enjoy them as much as I have. As Alex has told me, “I have about 100,000 images,” what you see is a fraction of a percentage of what he has contributed over the years.
I interviewed Alex about his thoughts on photography and found his words to be profound and insightful. It’s been great working with you all these years, my brother.
Nia:wen for everything you have captured for the world to see, Alex.
Vincent Schilling, editor and founder of Native Viewpoint.
Photography by Alex Hamer, in his own words.
Photography, for me, is a way to connect to people and the places that I go. It has allowed me to help tell people’s stories, document historic events and meet incredible people.
One such person in this set of photos is Sara Omi, who I photographed during Global Canoe in New York City in 2016. Sara is one of the Embera People of Panama, the first Indigenous woman lawyer from Panama, and she was named one of Forbes’s “100 Most Powerful Women of Central America.”
The photo of the Social Smoke Dance is a personal favorite as it was taken on “The 32” in 2023. Which is the 32 acres that the Oneida Indian Nation reclaimed in 1974 after the Boylan Case decision. As a child, when my grandfather, Martin John, would take me to the 32, it was very different than it is now. The progress that has been made and the fact there is a place like the Sha:kowi Cultural Center to host these events isn’t lost on me. My uncle Lyman “Jake” John, who was integral to establishing the bingo hall at The 32 under outside pressure, would be impressed with how far things have come.
Indigenous stories lend themselves to photography with a diverse culture, important messaging and beautiful people with a variety of stories to tell.
Some are heartbreaking, and other times uplifting and empowering.
I would like people to see my work as a reflection of the aliveness of Native culture.
There are those who ride a skateboard to a protest; others dress in regalia, dance, honor traditions and move forward, fighting when needed, for the continuation and establishment of Indigenous rights.
My passion for photography lies in my curiosity for people, history and the equipment itself.
Producing a photo in different conditions under different stressors is always a welcoming challenge. The Indigenous Youth Council Tipi is an example of this. Exhausted, dirty and tired, my companion and I made our way back to our site at Standing Rock. As I was making my way inside my tent 30 feet away, I looked up and saw the Milky Way and clouds moving in. I wanted, needed to sleep. Instead, I decided on one last photo before the clouds set in. I quickly set up as the settings I needed were already in my head. The photo I captured ended up at the Cayuga Museum of Art and History, then donated for a raffle to help a young woman who was bravely fighting cancer.
In the last decade of being a freelance photographer, I’ve had the honor to have my work shown at the Everson Museum, sold photos at the Fenimore Art Museum and currently have a photo of my friend Heath Hill, Oneida, on display at the Empire Plaza in Albany, NY.
My work has been shown in Vice News and Green America, and past clients have included The U.S. Small Business Administration, Oneida Indian Nation, and Ganondagan State Historic Site, as well as earning a White House Press Pass for the Tribal Nations Conference.
When I’m not running around with my camera in hand, I usually hang out with my kids or try to get them to help me in the garden.
My hope is that my drop in the bucket of life pushes the ripples of Love a little further.
I hope to see you out in the world smiling, Alex.
Alex Hamer, a Oneida descendant, is a photojournalist at Onondaga Homelands in Syracuse, NY. He has covered events at Standing Rock, Washington D.C.’s Climate March and the Women’s March. Alex has also covered local environmental issues in central New York and cultural and historical gatherings. Alex’s photographs have been shown at the Everson Museum, the Cayuga Museum of History, and the Fenimore Museum. When not photographing events or people, Alex enjoys spending time with his family and tending to his garden. His website is alexhamerphoto.com. Follow him on Instagram: alexhamerphoto
See Alex Hamer’s related story here:
Wampum belts, snowsnakes and deer buttons at Ganondagan’s Native American Winter Games
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Vincent Schilling, Akwesasne Mohawk, is the founder and editor of Native Viewpoint. With nearly 20 years of experience as a Native journalist and former member of the White House Press Pool, Vincent works to uplift underrepresented voices in the world of media and beyond. Follow Vincent on YouTube.com/VinceSchilling, on Twitter at @VinceSchilling or on any other of his social media accounts by clicking on any of the icons below.
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