"I really want to focus on the collective nature of being stolen, because it wasn't just me. It was the vast majority of Native adoptees." -- Pete Patton

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Unraveling Adoption, co-hosted by Beth Syverson and her son Joey, they interview Pete Patton,LCSW, an Indigenous Inuit adoptee who shares his experiences of being stolen and adopted. Pete discusses the historical context of racism in Oregon and the impact it had on Native American communities there and elsewhere. He also delves into his journey of reconnecting with his Indigenous heritage and the healing process he has undergone. Pete highlights the importance of understanding the collective experiences of adoptees and the need for reconnection with ancestors. The conversation sheds light on the complexities of adoption and the importance of listening to and learning from Indigenous voices. The episode emphasizes the significance of acknowledging and honoring the stories of adoptees and the importance of cultural reconnection for healing.

 

Photo Credit for cover photo of Pete: Alberto Moreno

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RESOURCES:

Pete’s information:

• Contact Pete via email at [email protected] 

• Find the chapter that Pete contributed to in this book: Altogether Us: Integrating the IFS Model with Key Modalities, Communities, and Trends: https://www.amazon.com/Altogether-Us-Integrating-Modalities-Communities/dp/1734958421

• Hear Pete on The One Inside: An Internal Family Systems with Tammy Sollenberger: https://tammysollenberger.com/ifs-and-echoes-of-ancestral-wisdom-stories-of-indigenous-resilience-and-connection-with-suzan-mcvicker-and-pete-patton/

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

• IFS Institute (Internal Family Systems): https://ifs-institute.com/

• Here are the books Pete mentions:

• Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer: https://www.amazon.com/Braiding-Sweetgrass-Indigenous-Scientific-Knowledge-ebook/dp/B00D0V44LC

• 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann: https://www.amazon.com/1491-Second-Revelations-Americas-Columbus-ebook/dp/B000JMKVE4

• The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History by Ned Blackhawk: https://www.amazon.com/Rediscovery-America-Unmaking-American-Modernity-ebook/dp/B0BX1BS5VL

• The Memory of Souls by Cliff Taylor: https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Souls-Cliff-Taylor/dp/B08K3YHXGN

Other Resources:

• APtitude Support Group for Adoptive Parents Facing Adoption’s Challenges: http://UnravelingAdoption.com/APtitude

• Other Parents Like Me - http://oplm.com

• Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents who have a child struggling with addiction: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/

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Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

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TIME STAMPS

• 00:00:00 - Introduction to Unraveling Adoption

• 00:01:24 - Focus on Being Stolen and Adopted

• 00:04:32 - Historical Context of Assimilation Policies

• 00:10:58 - Impact of Cultural Othering

• 00:14:07 - Connecting with Indigenous Community

• 00:18:45 - Seven B's of Indigenous-inspired IFS

• 00:20:20 - Shamanic Death Experience and Spiritual Journey

• 00:23:20 - Impact of Buffalo Population Annihilation

• 00:24:43 - Adoption as an Extension of Boarding Schools

• 00:26:02 - Sharing Collective Experiences of Adoption

• 00:26:56 - Upcoming Events and Conclusion