Through His Lens
Photographer Nate Lemuel reflects on documenting the 2022 Santa Fe Indian Market, his upbringing on the Navajo Nation, and how to become a better ally of Indigenous PeopleYá’át’ééh shí éí Nate Lemuel yíníshyé’.
Tó’dích’íinii ei nishłį́.
’Kin l ichii'nii éí bá shíshchíín.
Hashk'aa hadzohi ’‘éí dashicheii.
Tachii'nii ‘éí dashinálí.
Hello, my name is Nate Lemuel.
I am of the Bitter Water Clan.
I am born of The Red House People clan.
Yucca Fruit-Strung-Out-in-a-Line clan are my maternal grandfathers.
Red Running Into the Water people clan are my paternal grandmothers.
I was born and raised on the Navajo Nation. Since the age of 15, I have always had a camera in my hand, taking photographs of my family and the landscapes that surround my homeland of Shiprock, New Mexico. To make memories by showing others what I see when taking pictures is such a joyous gift of expression. Growing up, I found that my Native culture and heritage is very important. I grew up learning traditional teachings from my grandparents, my family, and my Navajo teachers in school. As I became a young adult within my community of Shiprock, New Mexico, I discovered that there is so much importance to who we are as a whole Native community. Our traditions are represented with such respect and honor from our ancestors, and we do our best to learn and uphold those forms of teaching that were given to us at a young age. Reclaiming our knowledge and our space as Indigenous people today has been very challenging and we won’t give up on staying together and helping one another.
The Santa Fe Indian Market celebrates so many Native artists from around the country and the event itself brings so many to support our relatives. It is a place to not only see art, but for Native artists to bring excellence, education, and to create meaningful partnerships with one another. Year after year, I have been to this event and learned so much more about how important it is to acknowledge, respect, and support Indigenous folks.
I have been photographing at the Santa Fe Market for years and have had many opportunities that have brought beautiful connections with people from other reservations. Every time I come back, I want to reunite and support my family, chosen family, and friends, as much as I can. I have been involved with supporting the BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ communities for the past two years on Tiwa Pueblo lands here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My photography has brought me opportunities to help the Navajo Nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, not just physically delivering aid for organizations, but visually taking photographs to help get my community’s word out to others for help.
I feel gratitude and respect for my people and our land and believe that it is important to learn and take safety into account, from our youth to our elderly communities. I learned over the past few years what being a full-time creative is like. To exist as a gay and queer person has not been easy, but I don’t let that scare me. I learn from my experiences to become a better helper and always ask questions if I need to.
This year has not been easy for many artists because of the pandemic. I think it is very important to support Native communities because we are struggling today to help one another within our community. I also have experienced what it is like to work as a photographer within the industry and I feel like everyone from behind the camera to in front of the camera should take into account that our culture needs to be learned and appreciated more. We are not anyone’s costume or appropriation. There are 574 recognized tribes here in the US and each of their upbringings are very sacred and need to be represented with respect. There needs to be a strong form of respect about our representation and what we consider sacred within our culture. Advocating and becoming an ally to support Indigenous people is accessible nowadays through social media and the internet. Just be sure that your sources are accurate and that you always ask questions, especially if you are non-Native. At the market, always remember that you are on Native land here and throughout this country. Continue to support us by learning who we are and giving us space to talk and represent our communities. We are the original keepers of this place and continue to teach that knowledge to others.
- Courtesy of Nate Lemuel
