Inside the Mind of a Skinhead

A photographer gets dangerously close to the hateful creeds and human connections that bind together the members of Canada’s flourishing neo-Nazi movement.

Story by Brett Gundlock · Photos by Brett Gundlock · 8.5.15

Story by Brett Gundlock
Photos by Brett Gundlock

8.5.15

Inside the Mind of a Skinhead

Pocket

“We must secure the existence of our people and a future for White children.”

— David Lane, the fourteen-word mantra for the White Supremacy movement.

Dwelling in beer-soaked basements, surrounded by walls decorated with German, Nazi, and Canadian Red Ensign flags, Neo-Nazi skinheads have formed several underground sects across Canada.

Tyler and Tyler talk while drinking. (The subjects preferred not to have their last names published.) Tyler (left) was convicted of second-degree murder and given life in prison after he and a fellow skinhead beat a man to death in Calgary.

As a photographer, I’m drawn to marginalized and alienated groups. This group though, is more complicated than any other I’ve photographed. I am intrigued by the Neo-Nazi lifestyle, rather than its ideology or politics — by the ways in which this underground community voluntarily alienates itself completely from mainstream society.

I was first introduced to these skinhead groups while covering the Aryan Guard’s first White Pride March in Calgary. Before that point, I’d had no idea that these groups existed in Canada. I approached the Aryan Guard and proposed this in-depth project about their group. It took a while for them to grant me access to their lives, but after spending large amounts of time with them I began to gain their trust.

Conor carries another skinhead’s daughter. The young girl’s parents were both members of the Neo-Nazi group.

Jordan rides public transit. After two years of involvement with these groups, and a few prison visits — including one after being accused of attempting to pipe bomb a rival skinhead's house — he left the groups altogether. — Jordan rides public transit. After two years of involvement with these groups, and a few prison visits — including one after being accused of attempting to pipe bomb a rival skinhead’s house — he left the groups altogether.

Richard and Izzy argue in front of a local pizza shop.

In these communities, crime becomes the bullet point to their alternative résumés. White skin is penetrated and marked with the black ink of Nazi symbols. Their existence requires a distinction between themselves and mainstream Canadians, people they understand and describe as “the enemy.” A self-fashioned minority who believe they should be the majority, the Neo-Nazi enclave animates the tensions of a culturally diverse Canada.

Alex recovers from getting beat up. He was being initiated into a skinhead group called W.E.B. (Western European Bloodlines), a process that included many random beatings and an eventual tattoo of a web on his hand.

The violent, intoxicated lifestyle of the young skinhead survives the night to become the everyday: children are born, couples are wed, families are created. Despite their opposition to the ethical and social norms of Canadian society, Neo-Nazis enact the same communal rituals and work hard to craft their next generation.

“We all talk a lot about a lot of stuff, but sometimes you just got to shut up and do the time,” said Kyle McKee as he lightly shrugged his shoulders. Talking through a phone behind shatterproof glass in January 2010, McKee was in the Calgary remand center facing two charges of attempted murder. “I just want to see my daughter,” he said.

Radical perspective does not quell the desire or need for connection. All human existence is fundamentally insecure without community or relationships, especially when so far beyond the tolerance of mainstream ideology. And yet their “movement” continues.

Richard and Andrew's apartment. Richard told me his father was a member of the KKK. Andrew, meanwhile, came from a fairly well-off family, but was attracted to the radical ideas of these groups. The two met and lived together in various apartments. Neo-Nazis often live together; it is hard for them to find other roommates who will tolerate their extreme beliefs. When they build their own little communities like these, they further alienate themselves from mainstream society. — Richard and Andrew’s apartment. Richard told me his father was a member of the KKK. Andrew, meanwhile, came from a fairly well-off family, but was attracted to the radical ideas of these groups. The two met and lived together in various apartments. Neo-Nazis often live together; it is hard for them to find other roommates who will tolerate their extreme beliefs. When they build their own little communities like these, they further alienate themselves from mainstream society.

Max and Richard hang out in Richard's apartment. Max started a racist skinhead group called S.O.S (Southern Ontario Skins). Richard went to jail for threatening his black neighbor in front of her house. He disappeared from the scene after that. — Max and Richard hang out in Richard’s apartment. Max started a racist skinhead group called S.O.S (Southern Ontario Skins). Richard went to jail for threatening his black neighbor in front of her house. He disappeared from the scene after that.

Rob is restrained by Kevin, following a fight with another member of their group, W.E.B. Nine months after this photo was taken, Rob was convicted of second-degree murder and given life in prison, after he and a fellow W.E.B. member beat a man to death.

Rob “sieg heil’s” while making out with his girlfriend.

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This week of Narratively stories is a collaboration with Boreal Collective, which is the common ground between ten internationally-based photographers. From August 14-16, they are presenting the 3rd “Boreal Bash” in Toronto, featuring workshops, speakers and portfolio reviews.