The Awkward Angler Podcast

Instagram has been a great resource for me to connect with other anglers and it’s exactly how I met Emerald LaFortune. I found alignment in her posts and content when it comes to topics of LGBTQ+, racial and social justice, as well as being a female in male dominated spaces such as whitewater boating and fly fishing.

Emerald is a writer, guide, and angler based in Idaho. This is also the first time we’ve actually connected outside DMs and emails. I could get lost in her voice, her way with words, and hearing her stories and perspective.

We likely could have spiraled offf into many topics but today we discuss her identity, how the dominant culture can support women and LGBTQ+ boaters and anglers. We also break down an article about fly names. I especially loved hearing how she navigates social justice while being a white woman.

So often I hear from white folks that they just want to get it right, or they don't want to mess up. I find it important to elevate Emerald’s voice because she struggles navigating those ideals as well and we don’t talk about it because it can get awkward.

Resources:

In 2017, The Orvis Company launched 50/50 on the Water, an initiative to introduce more women to the sport and to promote those already making a mark in the fly fishing world.

I, as an Indigenous, woman know the gender binary is not inclusive - while focusing on women is important, how are we going to move forward to include gender fluidity, non binary, and trans communities?

I recognize progress in it’s own right - getting women on the water is an important effort especially if it can be a gateway towards conservation however it’s not enough. How are we expanding our education beyond the gender binary and it’s colonial concepts?

I am thrilled to have my friends, Chrissy Atkins and Jackie Kutzer, co creators of the Orvis 5050 on the water initiative and hear about their individual learnings of launching something this big in the industry and reflections of their learnings on gender concepts.

Resources

Resources from Jackie and Chrissy:

“Step up, step aside, or step down.”

Power sharing vs hoarding needs to be understood.

Welcome to the final episode of season one. I am looking forward to a nice long break and yet, I already have ideas for a new batch of episodes. I learned a lot, not only about podcasting but from each guest.

Thank you to my guests for your time and sharing your stories and perspectives. And thank you listeners for your support - the feedback, shares, and engagement - I didn’t know what I was getting myself into but am pleasantly surprised and glad I can add a new skill under my belt.

In this episode Bianca and I go through even more questions and because there were so many we did not get to touch on all of them, However most have a similar theme that requires an understanding what white supremacy is and how we participate in it.

As the co-founder and consultant of REAL Consulting, we believe that taking responsibility for “white supremacy” is the duty of every person living in society, no matter their color, creed or background. We offer a new definition that breaks down the barriers that prevent us from answering this call to action. Our goal is to drag the concept of white supremacy out of the shadows of our consciousness and shake off the stigma; once we overcome the discomfort of naming it, we are empowered to begin the process of dismantling it. REAL Consulting will be with you every step of the way! Visit consultreal.org for more information.

Resources:

https://accessibility.cornell.edu/event-planning/accessible-meeting-and-event-checklist/

https://www.verywellmind.com/anti-racism-strategies-5069386

https://nativegov.org/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment/

https://native-land.ca/

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/video/tayshia-adams-discusses-bachelor-hosts-decision-step-75993369

Welcome to Part 2 of navigating the impact of white women’s intentions. Today, Bianca and I dive into just a few of the many questions we received themed around, “what can I do?” and “How can I decenter myself?” As well as building relationships with Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

Again, as you listen, we ask that you lean into the awkwardness and also check in with yourself - both physiologically and emotionally.

Side note, in exciting recent news, I am beyond thrilled to be elected along with Bianca to the Women’s Wilderness board. We will also be serving with Patrcia Chau Nyguen from episode 3 on Anti-settlerism and Angling.

Our mission is to support girls, women and LGBTQ+ people in accessing their power and improving their health through outdoor and community connections.

Check out womenswilderness.org

https://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/white-supremacy-culture-characteristics.html

A month or so ago I had posted for an upcoming conversation titled “the impact of white women’s intentions”. I got an overwhelming response with questions. Thank you for those that took the time to submit them.

As people of color, for us to be in community, we talk. We also support each other by listening and sharing our experiences. I had the opportunity to meet and be in community with Bianca McGrath Martinez. Today’s episode, we get to continue our personal conversation we’ve had in the past on our observations and experiences in working with white women in the angling space as well as in the outdoor non profit space.

Bianca has a unique identity and moves about the world as a woman of color as well as a white woman.

This episode is raw, a truth telling experience from us as individuals on how we navigate the impact of white women’s intentions in both the angling space as well as the outdoor nonprofit space. This episode is for white women looking to continue their anti racist journey in hopes to shine light on an area that needs to change. If you’ve ever said or thought, “what can I do, I just want to learn and be better.” This episode is for you.

This is a part 1 of 3. We get to know Bianca and her experiences then will dive into the questions asked in the next 2 episodes.

Resources:

https://www.hechoonline.org/

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a22717725/what-is-toxic-white-feminism/

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-spiritual-bypassing-5081640

Due to the sensitive nature of this episode, listener discretion is advised. This episode includes discussions of suicide that may be upsetting or triggering for some listeners.

800-273-8255 is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.

I get to speak with and catch up with my brother, a fellow Brown Folks Fishing Ambassador, fly guide, and founder of Taco Fly Co, Mario Guel. We discuss the fly fishing unwritten rule book, trolls behind meme accounts, a little geotagging, conspiracy theories, representation, and the real stoke behind Taco Fly Co.

Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

[Special Beers] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLptAUlTSJw

https://www.diversifyoutdoors.com/tracy-nguyen

https://www.adl.org/sites/default/files/documents/pyramid-of-hate.pdf

https://tacoflyco.com/

A continuation with Amanda Jameson and her journey of finding employment in the outdoor industry. We talk about leaving her recent position at Big City Mountaineers. I can relate on so many levels as people of color face overt and covert racial discrimination from our leadership as well as colleagues. We discuss our personal stories as well as share tips and pitfalls for recruiters and organizations looking to “hire for diversity.”

Resources:

https://coco-net.org/problem-woman-colour-nonprofit-organizations/

https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html

https://www.consultreal.org/

When it comes to justice, we need to talk about accountability.

When it comes to hard conversations around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, we worry about getting it right. So often when I conduct JEDI trainings, folks have nervousness about entering the space as they fear getting called out and for making mistakes.

I can empathize with folks worried about hurting others’ feelings or causing harm to underrepresented communities when we don’t intend to. But we do.

So...what do we do? We typically stay silent because working through hard conversations gets awkward.

I have news for you...We’re going to make mistakes. Even when we don’t, we run into someone with opposing ideas, a different perspective or experience, someone that is offering a challenge, a push back, or willing to teach me deeper learning and understanding.

I want to jump to 2018, when Camber outdoors announced a CEO Pledge that was the first of its kind. But there was already a pledge created by a Black woman, Teresa Baker.

The amount of fear I have seen and heard from organizations that don’t want to “end up like Camber.” but what they really mean is getting the PR backlash which leaves no room for justice, equity, diversity, nor inclusion.

I have the honor of speaking with Amanda Jameson, who is a woman of color that was also the Diversity and Inclusion Program Coordinator at Camber Outdoors when this happened in 2018. We get to hear about her story and she offers some incredible advice on how to recover when you do make a mistake.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2391024/what-we-can-learn-camber-outdoors-fiasco#close

https://www.diversifyoutdoors.com/pledge

https://she-explores.com/podcast/outdoor-ceo-diversity-pledge/

https://www.outsideonline.com/2389981/camber-equity-pledge-controversy?fbclid=IwAR1FgDlOq2YdcttZt2-5LQLs9xRXnzZLHjNYjfN04pY2qQ-faWvCbyKX58k

https://camberoutdoors.org/blog/camber-outdoors-offers-public-apology-following-misrepresentation-of-outdoor-industry-pledge/

Halfway through season one: After a busy week in all aspects of personal, professional, and social, this week is to pause and thank guests, listeners, subscribers, and supporters. Also, share some comments and feedback. Visit https://anchor.fm/erica-nelson2 to contribute monthly or Venmo @ AwkwardAngler