Month: November 2020

HaŠarak Waruc (Healing Meal) Teejop Native Food Celebration

/ Dan / Leave a comment

As the challenging year of 2020 draws toward a close, we wanted to get into the kitchen to offer a special meal highlighting Indigenous foods. The HaŠarak waruc (Healing Meal) is the Teejop (Madison or Four Lakes) Native Food Celebration prepared by Elena Terry (Wild Bearies), Yusuf Bin-Rella (TradeRoots and UW Housing), and Dan Cornelius (Intertribal Agriculture Council and Yowela?talih Farms).

We ask that you pre-order by Thursday evening, November 19th to better guarantee your order, but we will work to fill orders received on Friday. However, quantities of both dishes are limited. We are also offering a sponsor a meal program, so please contact us if you need help with a meal for you or your family.

Place Your Order

Why is the meal unique?

Native people have lived in the Teejop area for over 10,000 years, yet few contemporary local residents are aware that wild rice surrounded the shores our our lakes and waterways when the territorial was established in the 1830s, nor are they aware of the countless ways to prepare our heritage Indigenous corn that continues to be a mainstay food in many Native households. Most local and Wisconsin residents are similarly unaware that herring and whitefish are probably the two most sustainable and healthy regional fish. This meal highlights these ingredients, most of which have been sourced by American Indian food producers. Check out the producer directory, and please consider submitting an application for the no-cost “Made by American Indians” trademark.

Who are those American Indian Producers?

The Red Cliff Fish Company opened its doors for operations on Monday, November 16th, 2020 after several years of planning, fundraising, and efforts to gain the support, partnership, and trust of the Tribe’s fishermen. This Tribal operation is working to support fishermen with higher prices while better connecting superior product to Native and non-Native customers.

Lake Superior herring season is in full swing. Historically prized for its roe (eggs), herring is particularly high in omega-3 fatty acids and extremely low in biotoxins found in most fish since the herring are not a predatory fish but rather eat zooplankton.

Check back for more food producer information over the next couple days. These producers include:

  • Bow and Arrow (Ute Mountain Ute)
  • Spirit Lake Native Farms
  • Yowela?talih^ Farms
  • Ramona Farms
  • Sakari Botanicals
  • Dynamite Hill Farms
  • Ziibimiijwang
  • Red Lake Nation Foods
  • and others

What is the Native Food Network and Mobile Farmers Market?

/ Dan / Leave a comment

The Intertribal Agriculture Council launched a pilot food distribution effort, the Mobile Farmers Market, in 2013 to explore how to better connect American Indian producers to customers on both on and off reservations. The effort has participated or hosted dozens of markets over the years while also expanding the presence of Native foods and arts at countless conferences and events.

Covid has posed challenges to staffing, so we are not currently participating in farmers markets or special events. However, plans are underway for launching a dedicated regional distribution cooperative to better serve Tribal food producers. And stay tuned for other news and efforts in the near future.

You can also find a list of American Indian food producers at http://www.indianagfoods.org.