A Growing Number of Indigenous Food Caterers: Consider Them for a 2018 Event

The Sioux Chef has gotten international attention for reclaiming precolonial indigenous foods as one key part of revitalizing Native American culture and bringing it to a broader audience. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board recently announced it would partner with The Sioux Chef to open a riverfront restaurant at the old Fuji Ya site in Downtown Minneapolis.

At the same time, there are several other local indigenous caterers emerging. Here are other options if you are looking for a caterer for an upcoming event.

A Food Drive; An Indigenous Food Forest; A New Restaurant; and a Fort Snelling Redesign Update

Food Drive for St. Paul’s Native American Communities: Please Help

The Department of Indian Work of the Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul will be conducting an annual food drive during the month of March as part of Minnesota FoodShare. It is called: Generous Spirit Food Drive – if you and/or your group can contribute food or money it will be much appreciated. Click on the link for more details.

The Department of Indian Works addresses needs and issues in the American Indian community, respecting the cultural and spiritual diversity of the people it serves. It provides emergency services, diabetes education, and youth enrichment programs. Last year, its food shelf served more than 3,000 people.

Indigenous Food Forest Proposed for Hiawatha Area

Passing along what looks like an interesting proposal to create an Indigenous Food Forest on what is now the Hiawatha Golf Course in Minneapolis. Organizers will hold a workshop February 27th at Nokomis Community Center from 12-4 p.m. The organizers also have a website with more information as well as a petition.

Gatherings Cafe Adds Breakfast!

We reported recently on the opening of the Gatherings Cafe, offering lunch at the Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 East Franklin Ave. Another announcement just came in that it is now open for breakfast, too. The menu includes the blue corn wild rice waffle ($5), roasted sweet potato hash ($7) and various egg options. Breakfast runs 7-11 a.m. and lunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fort Snelling Redesign Listening Sessions

Community meetings are scheduled for people to learn more about the Minnesota Historical Society’s plans to revitalize Historic Fort Snelling through upgraded facilities and interpretation. MHS is billing these events as a space for open community dialogue and collaboration. Representatives from MNHS will be in attendance to listen. Come and make your voice heard! The next sessions are:

• Saturday, Feb. 20, 2-4 p.m. at the Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E Franklin Ave., Minneapolis
• Thursday, Feb. 25, 6-8 p.m. at Sabathani Community Center, 310 E 38th St., #200, Minneapolis
• Friday, March 4, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., at the Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E Franklin Ave., Minneapolis

For more background, here is a post we wrote on an earlier listening session, or contact Rachel Abbott at the Historical Society, rachel.abbott@mnhs.org, or 651-259-3484.

 

New Cafe at MAIC; Upcoming Conference on Indigenous Medicines

New Cafe Opens in Minneapolis American Indian Center

The Gatherings Cafe opened today at the Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis. The hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the menu offers the Red Lake Walleye Melt or a Bison Melt for $8, and Wild Rice Salad for $6. Other offerings include smoothies.

Cultural Revitalization and Awareness Conference

All Nations Church, 1515 East 23rd Street, Minneapolis, is hosting a half-day conference on cultural revitalization. The event is this Thursday, Feb. 18, 8:30 a.m. to noon (with a continental breakfast). Keynote speaker Michael Carney (Oglala Lakota/Ho-Chunk) will speak on Alternative Indigenous Medicinal Uses and Applications of Plants and Oils. The forum is free and open to the public. You can register by emailing sandywhitehawk@gmail.com (which helps with planning) or you can show up the day of the event.