Teko Alejo

American-Chicano photographer, born 1973

BiographyOriginally from Watsonville, California, Teko Alejo is deeply rooted in his familial ties to labor and activism. His grandparents, of Chichimeca tribal lineage, were Mexican migrants and guest workers under the United States Bracero Program. His grandfathers were committed to the advocacy for migrant farm workers’ rights under the United Farm Workers union. Alejo harnesses this personal history of resistance to inform his photographic practice, foregrounding the enduring political and cultural struggle of Indigenous communities. Recognizing the generational resiliency motivates him to document moments of collective action in Indigenous culture.

Alejo's journey as a photographer began when he worked at a Ritz Camera store while living in San Francisco. He began doing street photography, documenting social injustice and city life. In 2006, he captured some of the largest pro-immigrant rights marches in California. He captures Indigenous dance-related and ceremonial events throughout the year, inspired by Native photographers before him, such as Lee Marmon.

Person TypeIndividual

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