People can’t travel to point B, but if you bring [an exhibition] to their community—into their urban world—they can go learn. She becomes mother nature of that sanctuary, so the name of the exhibition will be Mother.”. That curriculum is passed on to the veterans, and the veterans use that curriculum to help engage our youth. It definitely plays a role in running a nonprofit. Through film, photography, and journalism we strive to make each story as unique as the person or place it’s based off. So when people say it doesn’t exist, I was like, “Well, all I had to do was sit and wait, and you see people start to come out of the outdoors and speak this ugliness.” They’re just revealing themselves. We do these outings, for which we actually coined the name “deployments.”. And so when people were saying this doesn’t exist—racism doesn’t exist out there—that’s a bunch of crap. Brown is an accomplished documentary style portrait photographer, creative director, adventurer, conservationist, and founder/president of Soul River Inc., a non-profit organization. So … We hung out at the mill pond catching brown trout and brook trout one after the other. I use it as a tool of bringing communities together and forming relationships between youth and veterans, and that is how I founded Soul River Inc. Yes, we’re recreating on the land, but [indigenous communities] subsist 100% from the land, so it opens up many other doors where I can tell that story through my lens. And they can see [the exhibition] and say, “You know what, I want to be part of that now.”. Combs found out about Soul River, Inc. after reading a story about fly fisher and Navy veteran Chad Brown in a fly-fishing magazine. We try to give them a sneak preview from a recreation standpoint, but we actually like to grow them into leaders and leaders for tomorrow. Brian Chou was out fly-fishing one day when he spotted something pretty unusual: A man yelling and running upstream, away from the fish. To read Chad’s article that has raised this conversation, click here. Chad Brown lives in Portland, OR and is a military veteran who struggles everyday with Post-traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD). Your army is stronger now. There are thousands of folks with fear in the outdoors, but do not speak to the fear because they carry shame and most folks will put them down quickly and not listen. It’s been going on and going on—it’s not a new thing, I just brought this into the light. I mean, the sport of fly fishing, it tends to always sit in the beautiful outdoors and the lands of awe. It actually went viral—a little bit over 200,000 views. It recruits new people into a conservation space, saying, “Now that I learned, walking through this exhibition, about indigenous people and what’s happening, how can I help and what can I do to support?” And so that creates a stronger army from a conservation standpoint and from a political standpoint. It was literally all over and beyond the conservation world. I hope that continues moving forward. That person, whey they pick up their rod and waders to go fly fish, or pick up their weapon and go hunting, or go out for a trail run, brings their mindset. We’re always looking for volunteers, and the type of volunteers we look for are people who have backgrounds working with youth, especially at-risk kids and youth of color—that would be great. Full episode transcript available in our attempt to make this an accessible experience for all. Chad Brown, a decorated Navy veteran who received multiple honors, joined the U.S. Navy in 1991. We first met Chad over three years ago while working on the Wild Owyhee film series, and we recently donated 100% of the proceeds of our Veteran's Day sample sale to further support his work. I’m a Navy veteran who served in the second phase of Desert Storm, and also Operation: Restore Hope in Somalia. I’ve been speaking to a lot of these different issues, and it definitely comes from my experience with the article that I put out—it’s thoughts about George Floyd. She is also always looking for opportunities for internships with conservation groups or other people who are willing to open up the doors for young people to step in and learn, whether by shadowing a biologist, a fishing guide, etc. I get emails from Hispanic people. And then also, through those volunteers, we are always looking for conservation groups that are looking to open up their advocacy work and make that available for youth and veterans to step into those spaces to help elevate the work that they’re doing. Using our outside voices to redefine the outdoor narrative through personal storytelling. My goal at the beginning [of the exhibition] is approaching my subject with a “larger than life” style, allowing the artificial and the studio lighting to come into play. Back in January, Simms wader collection expanded like never before with the launch of the Spring 2019 line. How does that look? picked it up. They’re wall-type pieces that are specifically and strategically large format to engulf you into their world. Check out Chad Brown on Instagram @_chadbrown_ and support his work at Soul River Inc. The Owyhee. And from that, picked this article up and repurposed it, and that went over 100,000 views. And to allow you, just for a minute, to be engaged as intimately as possible. Soul River, Inc. now has a field educator. This is the second episode of our #AmplifyBlackStories season, which exclusively features Black voices. Ryan “Dirtmonger” Sylva, ODT thru-hiker 2017 The 'white savior mentality' U.S. Navy veteran Chad Brown has experienced racism beyond hiking trails and campgrounds. But what really makes me pick up my camera now is being able to step intimately into indigenous populations, and being able to use my platform as an exhibition to help elevate their voices and help elevate the issues that are happening on their lands. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I deal with mental illness, which is the PTSD that comes into play. Chad Brown, photographer and president/founder of Soul River Inc., has led over ten deployments, called Cross-Cultural Science Expeditions, to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (photos: Chad Brown). Her name is Marianna and she is constantly working on deployment curriculums. I founded this organization based on my personal background. But I had one that was going, which was the, Vashraii K’oo Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Exhibition, . That article and all the work I’ve been doing has actually brought a lot of people into the light in talking about their fear of being by themselves in the outdoors. Learn how your comment data is processed. This is real and this affects so many people. You can find more of Chad’s photography on his instagram or his photography website. I’m going to shoot these women larger than life, half their body is going to be colored and painted by a really awesome body paint artist. Photo of Chad bending down in a river in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and holding an arctic grayling fish with his bare hands. The article revealed it. And so I started thinking, “How can we tell a story about wild sanctuaries?” At the same time, there has to be a vein to educate people about what a wild sanctuary is, especially beyond our conservation world. It all starts in how you shoot and how you execute that will dictate [the viewer’s] experience. Brown saved himself from inner darkness by embracing fly fishing and decided he wanted to share the restorative power of getting out on the water, so he founded Soul River (soulriverinc.org), a non profit that brings together at-risk youth and veterans who serve as mentors. The Navy veteran turned gear designer now wants kids and vets to heal each other on the great American waters that saved his life. If we learn to listen and learn, we will learn to understand one another and learn from one another. It just went completely viral. In the heart of the west lives a vast, untouched and priceless gem. It’s something that no one speaks about and they don’t share. Chad Brown has fostered a deep bond between youth and veterans through his organization, Soul River Inc. His fly fishing trips not only help the youth learn lessons from nature but create a family-like sense of trust and belonging. Photo of Chad posing in a grassy meadow, trees and dry mountains in the background, the tundra inside the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, north of the Brooks Range mountains. And so I started thinking, “How can we tell a story about wild sanctuaries?” At the same time, there has to be a vein to educate people about what a wild sanctuary is, especially beyond our conservation world. Basically, I called the entire outdoor industry on systemic racism—that’s what that article speaks to. Is justice going to be on my side? I am very grateful and thankful for many supporters out there, whether it’s brand companies, outdoor companies, fly fishing [companies], or independent funders. The last thing you want to come across is someone who has it in for you because they have a problem with you being a woman or with your skin color. When you come to that image, and you look at it, you become engulfed in the surroundings of the piece that you’re looking at. From food to help getting to trailheads or whatever the case is, more information that we are able to attain the better off we are in making our deployment successful. They’re wall-type pieces that are specifically and strategically large format to engulf you into their world. I’m the president and founder of Soul River Inc., which is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon. One graduate is interning for NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), and another, her name is Karen, just landed an internship with Senator Ron Wyden (Oregon). - Duration: 12:47. It’s ugly, and it’s all coming from the outdoor community. I’ve received so many negative, ignorant, hateful texts. So it’s really interesting because my interest, when I get behind the camera, used to be very commercial. Imagine being outdoors and seeing that person who sent that bad text. He has also shared a few sources for those looking to listen and participate more deeply: An article by Oregon Public Broadcasting: https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-northwest-racism-outdoors-nature-hiking/, A webcast by Oregon Wild: https://oregonwild.org/about/blog/webcast-systemic-racism-public-lands. Our ultimate goal at the end of the day is raising our youth from an urban to an outdoor mindset, bringing them into a leadership type of mindset, engaging with them, and fostering them into advocacy. So it’s not just about recreation and going fly fishing, but it’s also about getting to see that they, too, can play a strong, active role in a professional career that helps foster, support, and protect our wildlife and our public lands, and [they can] take on environmental justice issues. Doing this in an exhibition form becomes an educational experience where we strategically position exhibitions beyond the conservation world and back into urban communities and mainstream communities to help engage and educate new folks and build their awareness on what’s happening on these public lands and fresh waters. After a three-year hiatus, Flylords sat down with Chad Brown. I’m working on a new exhibition with a conservation group called. And from that Keen Footwear picked this article up and repurposed it, and that went over 100,000 views. Taken during a photoshoot expedition in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge documenting Gwich’in community. Outside Voices Podcast is a project by Resource Media, a nonprofit communications firm working exclusively in support of social change. We then move from our deployment into congressional spaces. My life has been threatened many times. Our goal is simple: inspire the next generation to get outdoors and hit the water! From top left to top right:Photo of Chad, close-up, wearing a fur-lined winter coat and looking directly at the camera with a calm, stoic expression. Through that collaboration, we build a curriculum [for each deployment]. Being able to know people on the ground that can help navigate us, or point us in the right direction [is important]. COVID has definitely put a cease on my exhibitions. It makes others feel uncomfortable and not wanted, especially when it comes to folks who are just now seeing how wonderful nature is for the first time. Now he's fighting for environmental justice and at-risk youths. It was literally all over and beyond the conservation world. Each curriculum is formed into a field guide [for the deployment location] and is based on awareness, advocacy, and the issues that are happening. I have had people yell “get off my land,” “this is my hole,” and “get off my river” to me and call me racial slurs while on public rivers. My goal at the beginning [of the exhibition] is approaching my subject with a “larger than life” style, allowing the artificial and the studio lighting to come into play. Additionally, he shared with us the feedback he has received since his article “Thoughts on the Killing of George Floyd” was picked up by Hatch magazine in June. So it’s this opportunity to step into the world—literally step into the world—and feel it. We pair ourselves with conservation groups that are doing the good work of advocating for and protecting our public lands, wild spaces, and fresh waters. My exhibition pieces are large—they average anywhere between seven to ten feet tall. Chad Brown, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm during the Gulf War and Operation Restore Hope Somalia, struggles today with PTSD. It’s really unique. Each woman is going to represent shape, color, and size. Also, when we put together our deployments, they take us to many different types of really off-the-grid destinations. And we’re always in need of support and working for the growth of our organization, so donations are always welcomed, small or large. A trout fishing trip to northern Colorado at age 10 sparked her transition from traditional gear into the fly fishing world, and she’s been hooked ever since. I live very comfortably within the creative-professional space between an art director and a photographer. Pacific Rivers wants to raise awareness of our wild sanctuaries and raise money to help protect them. His favorite outdoor activity is fly fishing, … Brown’s a busy man with a passion for fly fishing and getting people onto the water who might not otherwise have the opportunity: urban youth and military veterans. Brown started Soul River as a … I can’t wait to start shooting because it’s going to be really gorgeous—really beautiful. Skip Navigation Share on Facebook It’s really interesting. At the same time, this gives them an opportunity to connect the dots of career paths. After hitting the local fly shop, he got set up with his first rod, a St. Croix, and headed out to the water. I use light in a way that captures the “larger than life” feel, but also the intimacy of the tone and the trauma, or the dramatic feeling that you become engulfed while looking at the image. She is passionate about casting light on conservation issues and the dynamic, vibrant sport of fly fishing. After that. Gretchen Mahoney is a native Texan who grew up fishing lakes in east and west Texas for largemouth bass. There’s a thing that’s called—some people call it different things—but I call it a bending light. No, I’m going to have to face some time even though I was defending myself. Chad has 3 jobs listed on their profile. Chad Brown, the founder of Soul River, uses fly fishing to connect veterans and inner city youth on a mission of conservation and healing. It was a little brown trout. About 9 years ago, during one of Chad’s darkest times, his friend introduced him to fly fishing. To check out his Vahraii K’oo Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Exhibition, click here. “In war I would look up in the sky every chance I got to find my peace and solitude, even if it was just for brief moments. Through a lot of relationships and connections being on the water and on public lands, I have connected with indigenous communities and new partners. Faces of Fly Fishing: Catching up with Chad Brown, The organization has definitely gotten more publicity and unlocked more supporting funders, which is awesome, and it has a staff now. https://flylordsmag.com/faces-of-fly-fishing-catching-up-with-chad-brown voices. That’s really what it’s all about. 3:29. 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