ACROSS THE USA
100CAMERAS X NATVLENS
100cameras x NATVLens is a part of a 8 class course that is custom designed by 100cameras to equip passionate creatives with the tools to empower youth in a community they care about with the opportunity to learn how to process their stories and create change. Pictured here is a 100cameras student during the course.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The 100cameras x NATVLens Program connected Indigenous youth throughout the United States through virtual learning. Through providing a space to explore and share personal experiences and tribal traditions, Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, Diné, Mohawk, Cherokee, Pokagon Potowatomi and Anishabe youth framed the moments of their daily lives and the beauty of their surroundings.
“I was most surprised by the talent and excitement of the photographers who were using the cameras for the first time. They created such unique work and mastered the basics quickly.
Over time we were able to have students come out of their shell and share their work, talk to each other for feedback, and interact with guest photographers.”
Shinnecock photographer Jeremy Dennis, whose own fine art photography explores indigenous identity, culture, and assimilation, guided students through the course, along with the assistance of documentary photographer and filmmaker Jessie Adler.
When reflecting on the importance of this opportunity, Jeremy reflected, “Photography is the medium that I work with as an artist and it has allowed me to represent myself and where I come from to others. It is an important educational tool which is helping me preserve cultural landscapes, local community members, and local events.”
“It made me feel happy that we were embracing native culture and modernity at the same time...It makes me feel happy as it reminds me natives belong in the now. We aren’t some mythical being that died out years ago...we are still here and we still belong here.”
Each week a professional Indigenous photographer shared their work and experience for participants to gain further insight into photography concepts and various career paths, from fine art to journalism to commercial advertising.
These guests include Jaida Grey Eagle, an Oglala Lakota photographer, producer, writer, and beadwork artist whose work ranges from fine art portraiture to documentation of Indigenous resistance, Josué Rivas, a Mexica and Otomi creative director, visual storyteller and educator working at the intersection of art, journalism, and social justice, Tailyr Irvine, a Salish and Kootenai photographer whose current projects explore the complexities of blood quantum and Native identity, and Tomás Karmelo Amaya, a Yoeme, A:shiwi and Rarámuri photographer, award-winning filmmaker, and creative director of Indian Country Today.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM LEADERS
Jeremy Dennis (b. 1990) is a contemporary fine art photographer and a tribal member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation in Southampton, NY. In his work, he explores indigenous identity, culture, and assimilation. He currently lives and works in Southampton, New York on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation.
Jessie Adler is an American documentary filmmaker driven by a desire to better understand the forces that determine our individual identities, collectives experiences and abilities to connect to one another. Her video advocacy work has led her to collaborations with communities through North America, the Amazon Region, and the Mekong Region. She received her MFA in 2018 from SVA’s Social Documentary program. Her thesis film, The Boxers of Brule, tells the story of healing through sport, sisterhood and tradition within the Kul Wičasa Oyate of present day South Dakota.
“From my point of view it felt like the program was a much-needed momentary escape from the stress and monotony of life during the pandemic. It was like we stepped out of our current realities and into a positive shared space to experience the beauty and joy and silliness of each others’ worlds.
Each teacher that visited brought with them an entire world to explore in their imagery as well, and I often felt such a shift in energy from the beginning of class to the end. It was really a bright point that helped make the experience of the pandemic more tolerable, I suppose by doing exactly what the curriculum aims to do to help us all process and take ownership of our experiences.”
STUDENT IMAGE GALLERY
Follow us on social media to see images from the field as captured by the 100cameras x NATVLens team and the student photographers.