On this episode of Not Invisible: Native Peoples on the Frontlines, Host LeAndra Nephin sits down with Physiotherapist, Stephanie Land. They discuss their work with Exeter Chiefs for Change, Stephanie's reconnection with her Inupiaq family and her attendance at COP26.
On this episode of Not Invisible: Native Peoples on the Frontlines, Host LeAndra Nephin sits down with Physiotherapist, Stephanie Land. They discuss their work with Exeter Chiefs for Change, Stephanie's reconnection with her Inupiaq family and her attendance at COP26.
Stephanie Land 0:00
It was a phenomenal experience. I went hiking I saw glaciers. I hate the trails there and went to Denali. And it was just beautiful. I desperate to go back. I think there was a bit of a lightbulb moment really of this is your homeland. This is where you're from and it was very grinding, actually.
LeAndra Nephin 0:20
That was physiotherapist Stephanie land. On this episode of not invisible native peoples on the frontlines. Stephanie joins me to discuss growing up in digit queer in Scotland, her reconnection with her Inupiaq family and her attendance at COP 26 with the Inuit circumpolar Council. Thank you for joining us, I'm your host Leandra Nephin.
So I know Stephanie because she is an active member of our Native Americans in the UK group, which is a small group of Native American First Nation Inuit people who are based in the UK with the aim of amplifying Indigenous voices and creativity. So recently, our group worked in collaboration with Exeter Chiefs for change, which is a campaign against the cultural misappropriation of Native American imagery and culture. Stephanie is a keen sports woman who has previously represented Scotland and fencing, and has recently turned her drive to taking part in virtual runs to raise awareness and funds for MMI and residential school survivors. She's an active member of her union chartered Society of physiotherapy and contributes to the equality, diversity and inclusion strategy. So today, we will be discussing her journey of discovery of reconnecting, her attendance at COP 26 in Glasgow, and what she learned while she was there, as well as her continuing work with Exeter Chiefs for change, Stephanie...
Stephanie Land 1:54
Thank you very much for having me. It's such an honor to be here today and Red House Series, and I've actually been listening to the podcast on my runs and things and it's such an honor to be part of this rubbing shoulders with some some amazing, inspirational indigenous folk. So yeah, thank you for having me.
LeAndra Nephin 2:08
Absolutely. I'm just honored to have this opportunity to hear your story and for other people to hear your journey in life. So I wondered if we could just first start off with the introduction.
Unknown Speaker 2:21
Yes. So hi, everyone. My name is Stephanie Land. As you can tell from my accent, I'm Scottish. I was born and adopted here in Edinburgh, and the capital city of Scotland, as you heard there for my intro and mixed heritage part Inupiaq. part white professionally, I'm a physiotherapist, and I work for the NHS, I'm heavily involved in EDI work. So as many strands in my life and many intersecting kind of identities going on as a sis gay woman, as you know, Indigi-queer and I guess, yeah, the big title I'm kind of carrying right now is is a reconnecting Native, which is been such a journey for me in the last couple of years and Leandra, thank you, you've been a big part of that actually think, you know, you've been a real catalyst for me to kind of go forward. So I really want to express my thanks for connecting with you. And you encouraged me every step of the way. And joining our organization that the natives in UK I mean, that's been a real, as I said, Yeah, real catalyst for me going forward in my journey and connecting with fellow natives in the UK, because for over three decades, I was really felt alone, very alone in Scotland, and to have that connection with other natives and having those conversations and friendships and yeah, it's been pretty phenomenal.
LeAndra Nephin 3:34
Absolutely. And it has been such an interesting story, because you and I happen to meet each other by chance, really
Unknown Speaker 3:41
Complete chance. I mean, that was about two, three years ago now. Yeah, I happen to come across. I think someone recommended the Storytelling Festival at Edinburgh and almost didn't go. So I'm glad I did. Yeah, it was a cold February, I think it was yeah, it was it was definitely cold, wintery weather. And there's obviously a few First Nation acts and Native American acts and storytellers and performers that were there. And you were there. And kind of, I think you clocked me and I clocked you. And then we just got chatting, and it was phenomenal. He said, We need to you need to join my group, the natives in the UK group. And the rest is history really. And these
LeAndra Nephin 4:17
are kind of the conversations we have around when you're reconnecting it almost seems like ancestors open doors or bring people into your path that you would never even realize. And then so a lot of our conversations I know I've kind of centered on your own journey towards reconnecting and what that's been like for you. But yeah, it was an absolute chance meeting and it was such a great you know, now, a couple years later that we've been friends now and get out there and but what I want to kind of go into though, for our listeners is really, you know, to let them know what that journey was like. So talk me through What your early life experiences were like, and how did that happen, you know that you got to this point where you realized, you know, you're Native and you're reconnecting and, and all of these things kind of coming together colliding, these worlds kind of colliding. Well,
Stephanie Land 5:16
so, I was born and adopted here in Edinburgh, I was adopted as a baby. My birth mother had me me here in Edinburgh, and, and I always knew I was adopted. So there's no secrets. And I'd like to add that I'm very happy adoption. You know, I'm in a very loving, supportive white Scottish family who I completely adore. And We're best buds and I can't talk highly of them. And we Yeah, I just so this journey wasn't because I was angry at them. I think that's important. Maybe thing to say that, you know, because a lot people say, Well, why do you really want to reconnect to your birth family, you know, you're not happy with your family, I am completely happy with my family. It's not a substitution. It's an ad. And I've said that before, I think I've been interviewed before about sort of being adopted, and it's never a subtract and replace. It's it's me reconnecting because I've reconnected with my birth family in New England as well. So it's never replace this. This is not me replacing my adoptive family. This is me trying to just piece together who I am, which I think a lot of adopted people go through, that they don't have that connection or understanding of who they are. It's just a quite a fundamental thing, isn't it? Whenever you meet someone new, it's like, who are you? And for a big chunk of my life, I couldn't really answer that very basic question. And being of mixed heritage, I think that has an added layer to that, you know, in Scotland, it's not very diverse. It's getting a bit more diverse now. But certainly me growing up, you know, I'm, I'm an elder millennial. I'm an older millennial. So back in kind of, you know, late 80s, early 90s, diversity was not a thing in Scotland, and certainly not in UK certainly didn't meet any natives. But my parents here in Scotland, they always told me everything, they're very honest about my adoption, and told me what they could what they knew from the adoption agencies, it was never a secret they tried so hard, you know, as I was growing up, they, they bought me little books about in you, and they tried to teach me about Native American history as best they could, in a very basic way that remember, this is pre internet. So they really did try as best they could. So for me, my adoption story is a very positive and loving one. But you know, with the basic question of who am I and I think that's what brought me to this journey, I reconnected my birth, mother's family. Oh, gosh, now we're talking probably six, seven years ago now reconnecting with my Alaskan family that has been more recent. And here are these cousins that were like, Oh, hi. We're cousins. Okay. Cool. And so that's, and the rest is history. You know, they've been so supportive and trying to kind of educate me on who I am and what our culture is our history. So yeah, it's been pretty, pretty crazy couple of years,
LeAndra Nephin 8:09
one of the doors that opened up, which I think is really great. If if you don't mind talking about is your experience at COP 26 in Glasgow, talk us through how that came about and and what that was like and what you learned and the whole experience.
Stephanie Land 8:30
That was a great experience. So Lesley and I both went as observers to cop 26 with the Inuit circumpolar Council, or ICC, which was a real honor. So we got invited because we were obviously in your in Scotland and Glasgow is only kind of 50 miles west of Edinburgh. So it was down the road. And I was there for three whole days with the ICC delegation, had an all access pass, which was a phenomenal experience. I put my hands up and go I'm not a climate change expert. But nonetheless, it was a really nourishing experience for me. And I learned a lot about climate change and gosh, it's it really hit home that this is really affecting my my relatives. You know, people from anywhere new nuts, so in your at home lands are disproportionately affected by climate change massively. And we have to sort it out. Now, time Time's running out. And we're already seeing the effects of this. That was my big take home from attending talks, looking at the presentations, looking at all the literature that was around COPD, I mean, it was everywhere, is really, really interesting to read, read up on that and hear the talks around that if I can get the NHS to, to sort out their sustainability. I think I can help my relatives helped me community.
LeAndra Nephin 9:49
Oh, I'm so pleased that you've had that experience. And I also saw on your I believe it was on Instagram that you tried to A Bannock for the first time as well when they came. Yeah,
Stephanie Land 10:03
yeah. So. So shortly after cop 26, Lesley actually hosted Lisa, the Vice President of the ICC, she was still wanting to travel around Scotland. So we decided to have a little bit of a social Lesley was how I'm gonna make some Banach and then I never had bank before. And yeah, a lot of my native pals are like, never had panic before. What do you need to try this? So I tried it for the first time and is delicious. So this these little experiences that I'm really cherishing and really enjoying, you know, discovering? Yeah. traditional food and yeah, so that's part of the journey as well. Absolutely delicious. I'm definitely gonna have to get a recipe.
LeAndra Nephin 10:45
Yeah, I was just gonna say you have to get together with Lesley and see if she can give you a recipe. And so how does your experiences then? Know, you know what you've had at COP 26. And what you kind of learned, because I know that you've actually traveled to Alaska and you experienced life there. I know, when we first met you, you told me some really amazing stories. But what was that, like, at that time? Because I'm guessing at that time that you moved to Alaska, you hadn't actually reconnected with your family there. Yeah. Yeah, unfortunately.
Stephanie Land 11:17
Yeah, just life. I guess it was bad timing. But I guess maybe it was a stepping stone. And you always say everything happens for a reason. And there's a plan and yeah, I so I handed in my master's. The day before I flew out to to Alaska. It was my little carrot, my little treat to get my thesis in and then had my bag packed and flew out to Alaska the next day. And yeah, it was a really hot summer. So that was quite good. Because I you know, because I read up about what should you pack and take to Alaska and yeah, T shirts, in short, wasn't really high on the list. So yeah, unfortunately, due to climate change, the temperature was was phenomenally high. But it was a phenomenal experience. I went hiking, I saw glaciers I hiked and the trails there and went to Denali. And it was just beautiful. I desperate to go back. I think there was a bit of a lightbulb moment really of this is your homeland. This is where you're from. And it was very grinding, actually. And I think really, from that trip, it kind of reset me a little bit. I know that sounds maybe a bit out there. But I think it did change me going there. It was a bit strange. Even when I was I was landing, you know, people thought I was local. So as I was waiting for my bag, this white Alaskan came up to me. So the wildfires are really bad. And isn't it? You know, just assuming that I was local, as I Oh, sorry, it's my first time here. And she heard my accent and was just kind of like, whoa, so I had quite a lot of funny conversations. Yeah, many people think that I was local. And yeah, I guess at that point, I was still learning that kind of conversation of how to react to that. And you know, there's there is obviously that thing that we do as indigenous focus is trying to say, well, who's your family? Who's your tribe? Who's your village, use your clan and all that kind of stuff? And I first I was confused by that question. And, and then I was confused, you know, I confuse them with my accent. And, you know, that had a British passport. So funny conversations going ahead, but go into the Alaska Native Heritage Center, for the first time seeing drumming, and all of these things were really, really exciting. Really interesting. And then, I guess, yeah. Also, there was some reality points, you know, you and I have discussed this before about, you know, that indigenous folk are for unfortunately, you know, disadvantaged in many ways. So I did witness that a little bit in downtown Anchorage, that that kind of lay heavy on my heart. You know, there was a lot of homeless people and they came up to me going, Oh, could you help me out, sister? And yeah, I guess there's that sad reality of the, you know, the effects of colonization and the effects of all of that I experienced that side of things as well, which kind of brought it home to me really. And I was told to be careful your indigenous woman, he'll be careful, you're, you're traveling by yourself or you better be careful. And I was a bit naive. I think I said that to you before Leandra that I wasn't very aware, I'll be honest with you. I wasn't aware of MMA W and all of that. And I was being a typical Brit abroad. Oh, I'll just wander around. And, you know, more than a few occasions, people warned me be careful where you're going and don't be out late at night by yourself. And that shocked me and now more I know now, I'm quite shocked by that. And saddened by that, that that's still the reality. So my trip was very nourishing, very positive, but there was also a little little nugget of of reality, which I'm glad I've had both of those sides. I think that's really important that I learn the good and the bad and yeah, yeah, I think it's it's a we can measure.
LeAndra Nephin 14:58
Yeah, I remember you telling mean that story and how shook you were in having that advice while you were traveling, because it's relatively safe to for, you know, people to travel alone here throughout Europe or around England or the UK probably is a lot of things that we may take advantage of in terms of, you know, safety nets. And when you're thinking about the MMI W statistics, particularly around Alaska, you know, very, you know, the highest statistics of murdered and missing indigenous people. And so yeah, for me, as you were telling me that story, when, you know, we met each other, I just felt, you know, completely devastated that that was, you know, the experience of what it was like, in Alaska, that you as a native woman, you know, we're, we're, essentially, you know, a target because of this, that's what the statistics say, you know, that you be a target, and then for you to experience that in and of itself, you know, at the time. And I suppose, as you said, on reflection, that kind of, you know, now that you know what, you know, now, sort of, it's even more strongly within you in terms of some of the virtual runs that you've done.
Stephanie Land 16:16
Yeah. Yeah, I was very naive, I think looking back very naive. And I'm, I'm very privileged, and I'm very well traveled. And I have traveled Europe, myself, I've been to Australia, myself, it was the first time it was my identity was maybe potentially something that was dangerous. You know, that, that really looking back now. That's how I'm kind of wording it like that was the first time being indigenous. That was the first time I kind of realized actually, that this can be quite dangerous. And I have not experienced that before. Obviously, you're told, you know, being a woman, be careful out late at night, all that, as I said, I've traveled I'm very lucky that I've traveled and to hear that there was one woman in particular, because I was quite nervous. Oh, yeah, it'll be fine. You know, usual thing I kind of brushed off and she's like, No, you're in this here, indigenous women. Be careful that that really hit home to me. And now that I look back at that conversation that yeah, because you said we could really sadly hit helms quite a lot now.
LeAndra Nephin 17:13
Yeah, absolutely. And I guess it kind of goes further to the point, particularly in our work that we've been doing together for Exeter, chiefs for change. You know, a lot of people don't realize how these dehumanizing stereotypes, we feed into the violence that still continues to be perpetuated against Native peoples. I mean, we've got people here and England and Exeter in the south southern part of England, who are playing Indian, when it's still dangerous for us to be native. You know, as Case in point, the very fact that we are indigenous, we are native automatically makes us a target for that violence for the for the genocidal policies, legislative policies that are designed to destroy and decimate, and dispossessed us from our people in our lands. But I wondered what that's been like, I guess, to kind of have that experience, you know, and in those kind of two worlds, you know, growing up in Scotland and in the United Kingdom, and then navigating that space over in your kind of ancestral homelands in Alaska. And then now, as we are involved in this fight to eliminate the racist branding, imagery and logo, what has that been like for you? Now that you know, you're kind of on board with this, and you're reconnecting and you're seeing all of these signals being put out? How does How do you interpret all of that?
Stephanie Land 18:50
As I said earlier, I think my trip to Alaska changed me formatively about who I am and where I'm from. And I think I and being part of these campaigns, I felt very strongly about doing the work, like the reconnecting, it's about also doing the work. I'm very aware that I'm acutely aware about me coming on here and sing on part indigenous. Because there's many people that will say that quite superficially, I'm hugely aware that you can't just go and walk around saying I'm indigenous, how cool is that? And not do the work, not learn about your history, the good and the bad, not doing the work in the activism. And I'm really, I guess, I've I've since going to Alaska, since learning more about my culture and my history, the good and the bad. I want to use my voice to amplify the indigenous causes MMI W, residential schools, yes, even when it comes to mascots, you know, all of these things are all inter connecting in some form or fashion. I think I have kind of made a sort of personal pledge of fighting the good fight where you guys 1000s of miles away, but I'm here, and I want to do the good work, I want to be a good relative. I know that's so important, important, you know, with with you and your values and things. So that's, that's how it's all coming together. You know, it's, it's speaking of using my very privileged educated voice to, to amplify these issues, because really, these issues aren't well known. They're not well known. Here in the UK, I'm sure they're not very well known. Back in North America, I think many people are quite ignorant of these issues. Certainly very ignorant of these issues over here, I've, I regularly share things on my social media, a lot of my Scottish and British friends will turn, you know, message me going, Oh, my goodness, I had no idea. So if I can just do that, if I can just make a few people read the statistics on MMI, who read the statistics on climate change that's disproportionately affecting Arctic people, the horrific statistics on residential schools, which is only just come to light, we always knew, you know, I'm told that, you know, indigenous folk, we always knew this happened. But so I mean, now making the main mainstream media that really sat heavy on my heart, and I really want to try and raise awareness, raise funds for release causes. So I guess that's how it's all coming together, using my voice, trying to be a good relative doing the work. And in my reconnection,
LeAndra Nephin 21:29
we've had a lot of conversations about about that reconnection process. And sometimes that reconnection process can be really painful and confusing, and joyous, and happy. And all these very nuanced experiences that come into that journey of reconnecting. How have you found overall, your journey towards reconnection,
Stephanie Land 21:56
a joy and a privilege? I think that's probably my overarching feeling. Such a privilege in that, you know, from a very young age, I was told, Oh, you're very unlikely to know about your native side. So to have this, and it's very modern way of reconnecting, that's not to skirt around that it's such a privilege. And it is joyous. I think I've more connected with myself and comfortable in my skin more than ever confidence. Yeah, not gonna lie. I think being adopted, sometimes you are a bit confused. And I think with my intersecting identities, being gay, all of that mix can be quite scary, quite isolating, and a bit lonely, but actually reconnecting with my heritage has kind of changed that it's shifted it on its side. And, yeah, it's been a very positive experience. As I said earlier, there's still the sad bits, there is the sad bits of learning, the horrendous side of our history. And that's painful to witness the sad things that I saw in downtown Anchorage that will always stay with me. But I would say the overarching feeling is that it is been a privilege and a joy.
LeAndra Nephin 23:08
Yeah, it's certainly been a joy for me to watch your journey. And to see you grow in confidence and even rootedness this ground, as he said, that happens in your identity, and knowing where you belong, where your heart is, in that reconnection, yeah, what is the hope for the future? Then? What is it you're hoping the future brings for you in your world? And then your life?
Stephanie Land 23:37
Oh, as a big question. I definitely want to go back to Alaska, I need to go back. I need to learn my language. I've tried. I've downloaded a couple of apps. And I've done a couple of online webinars with a lovely person in Anchorage. Suzanne, her name is everyone laughed at my Scottish accent. But you know, I think I need to do more of that, learn my language a bit more, go back to Alaska, go back to my homeland. I now have a few more folks to meet. So, you know, Addy and daily from the ACC said, come on down, you know, let us know where if you're in town. I think I will take them up on that if if the offer is still there. Going forward, obviously working with you, with natives in the UK with our campaigns, particularly with excuse for change. I mean, tonight's the night, right? They're voting on whether to keep the branding and we've worked really hard in that last few weeks. Which way to go? I don't know. If they still reject our DS then we keep working right. Absolutely. Yeah. So we're there. I think we're pretty we're a super team. I'm very like, you know, I think we work really well. And yeah, so we're 1000 miles away, but we were still fighting the good fight.
LeAndra Nephin 24:58
Yeah, indeed. We are. And we will have, I'm sure a lot more issues coming up. We're all centered in the colonial empire, which, yeah, United Kingdom, Great Britain. But yeah, our little team and our little group has become such an amazing force to be reckoned with. And it has, especially for me been such a pleasure to get to know you and to get to know your story. And, you know, to get to know some of your struggles and some of your successes and your events. And I know you're gonna smash it out there. And you know, and I was thinking about this actually, the other day, there's quite a few of us natives who are working for the NHS. Yeah,
Stephanie Land 25:44
we are. Yeah, absolutely. We're representing we should form an NHS group.
LeAndra Nephin 25:51
So we can start to change even the health care system within the kingdom. Any final words,
Stephanie Land 25:58
just to say Thank you for having me. And I hope my story maybe resonates with other adopted indigenous folk out there, because, you know, we know from the history 60's scoop, etc. There are many of us out there in the world that aren't connected with our roots. And I hope I can be a small voice feed for all of us, and show you an example of you can connect, you can forge your way. And yeah, I guess, if there's anyone out there that wants to connect with me, you know, hit me up, and we can talk because I think it's community's key. I think there's a big learning point in this whole journey. It's all about connection. It's all about finding your people connecting with people. Yeah. So I don't have much else to say. I'm very lucky. And my, my journey is really only just started. I think this is just literally the start. And it's already been pretty phenomenal. my adoptive dad says God your stories, Steven Spielberg film, I think he's right. I think it's pretty, pretty special. And it's only just begun. So watch the space I guess.
LeAndra Nephin 27:14
Thank you so much, Stephanie, for joining us on our virtual couch. And it's been such a pleasure. And I always love talking to you anyway and and having a bit of a chat and another about different things. But I want to thank you again, we've the HMM. This has been Not Invisible Native Peoples on the Frontlines, a House on Fire production. To learn more about Stephanie and her work with Exeter Chiefs for change. Follow her on Instagram at Steph land 1984 And be sure to check out today's show notes for more information. If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to leave us a five star review on Apple podcasts and tell two friends about us have an idea for a guest send us a message on Instagram at Red House series. This episode was produced by Spirit Buffalo and Ashley Cinders Robinson. Our editor is Abby Franz. The song for this episode is Another Side by Wild Whispers, produced by Ben Reno, Eli Lev and Megan Lee. I'm your host Leandra Nephin. Until next time, WóNgithe wíbthahaN. I thank you all
Transcribed by https://otter.ai