We all know that olive oil can be used as for sautéing, baking and frying foods. You may even use it to make a dipping sauce for bread and crackers or as a marinade for meat and fish. Below, we’ve listed five ways to use olive oil that you may have never heard of. Do […]
Blue corn is a variety of flint corn originally grown in Mexico. It was developed by the Hopi, the Pueblo Indians of the Rio Grande in New Mexico, and several southeastern U.S. tribes. Blue cornmeal is made from ground blue corn and is a staple in many indigenous dishes. It boasts several health benefits and […]
Provided by Ho-Chunk, Inc. Two Winnebago community programs recently received nearly $92,000 total in donations from Ho-Chunk, Inc. employees across the company and country. The contributions to Whirling Thunder Wellness Center and the Winnebago Youth Shelter are through the Ho-Chunk Way Employee Donation Program, an employee initiative to make a direct and lasting difference in […]
We receive quite a few questions about our company’s name and where it comes from, so let’s dive into what sweetgrass is and what it means for the Native community. We are named after the sweetgrass plant (sometimes called buffalo grass or vanilla grass), an herb native to Eurasia and North America. Sweetgrass has been used […]
Name: Brian Yazzie Location: Saint Paul, MN Education/background: Associate of applied science in culinary arts Business name: Yazzie The Chef, Yazzie The Chef TV, Intertribal Foodways, The Yaz Podcast Tribal affiliation: Dine’/Navajo Brian Yazzie aka Yazzie The Chef (Diné/Navajo) is a chef and food justice activist from Dennehotso, AZ, and is based out of Saint Paul, MN. He is […]
Smoked salmon has been made and enjoyed by Native people for thousands of years, and Natives hold salmon in high respect. Many tribes depended heavily on the dish to get them through cold winter months and long journeys. Smoked salmon is made by salting and smoking fresh caught salmon at a high temperature so that […]
We are excited to announce that SweetGrass Trading Company has received a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Certification from the Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council (MPMSDC). What is the MBE Certification? The MBE Certification is awarded to businesses with at least 51 percent ownership by a minority group or individual, including United States citizens who […]
Guest piece by Bryon White, joint CEO and co-founder of Yaupon Brothers American Tea Co. In America, the term “tea” is often applied to virtually any infusion of herbal plant material and water, regardless of whether or not that plant material is actually derived from the tea plant. For the sake of convenience, this article […]
Navajo Mike’s was founded in 2020, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, by Michael John. John realized there are all kinds of barbecue styles including Texas style and Kansas City style; however, there wasn’t much representation in Southwest style barbecue. John decided to change that, and began experimenting using prickly pear cactus juice, […]
Chokecherries, or Prunus Virginiana, grow on shrubs and small trees all across the U.S., except in the deep South. They are native to North America and are in the same genus as cherries and plums. They are best known for their exciting, sour and tangy flavor. Chokecherries are one of the most widely distributed woody […]
Name: Kirsten Kirby-Shoote Location: Detroit, Michigan Education/background: Worked as an apprentice on multiple farms Business name: Seed steward at Leilú Gardens Tribal affiliation: Tlingit What led to your passion for indigenous foods? My passion mostly stems from not seeing representation or accessibility, in tangible forms, of indigenous foods. Detroit is really far ahead of […]
Planning a family vacation or road trip? Don’t forget to add these Native American restaurants to your itinerary! Below we’ve compiled a list of some of the best Native restaurants in the U.S. Let us know if you have another favorite Native restaurant, café or food truck in the U.S. that we may have missed! […]
The Ho-Chunk, Inc. Summer Internship Program is designed to give students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs hands-on experience at an innovative Native American-owned company that prides itself on a strong social mission and community impact. Ho-Chunk, Inc. interns become an active part of the team from day one. Our personalized approach to learning and […]
When most of us think of salsa, we probably associate it with a heaping bowl of tortilla chips. Salsa is such a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of unique, delicious ways. Here are some ideas we came up with. Order our Apple Canyon Gourmet salsa today and try some of these out, then let us know your favorite way to […]
It’s time to say goodbye to 2021 and make plans and set new goals for 2022! But first, we wanted to recap our year. We’ve accomplished quite a bit, and we couldn’t have done it without our loyal customers, vendors and partners! Below, we’ve highlighted some of our biggest accomplishments that are worth celebrating. We […]
Looking to change things up for your Christmas dinner this year? Look no further! Below are three hearty, comforting Native dishes that you and your family are sure to love. Let us know what your favorite Native dish is in the comments! “Any” bean soup 1 ½ cups washed dry beans (we recommend Ramona Farms Tepary beans) 7 cups […]
Name: Nico Albert Location: Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Lands (Tulsa, OK) Education/background: Self-taught chef & caterer Business name: Burning Cedar Indigenous Foods Tribe: Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma What led to your passion for indigenous foods? As a chef, I connect and communicate through the language of food. I grew up in California and Arizona, far removed from my Cherokee community. […]
It’s time to wrap up Holiday gift shopping! Whether you’re shopping for a friend, family member, colleague, teacher or client, we have you covered. This year’s gift guide features some of our classic favorites as well as some exciting new items you won’t want to miss out on. Place your order by Dec. 17 to ensure […]
The SweetGrass team is excited to attend the 2021 Intertribal Agricultural Council (IAC) Annual Conference. Last year’s conference was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s conference will be held at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas from Dec. 7-9. SweetGrass employees will meet with attendees, artisans and other exhibitors to share the SweetGrass story and products, as well as discuss current trends and issues in Native food and ag. […]
This Thanksgiving, we encourage you to see the Holiday through a Native perspective. While many of us learned that the first Thanksgiving included a joyful, peaceful meal between Native people and pilgrims, that isn’t the case at all. In reality, the assembly of the Wampanoag people and English settlers in 1621 was less about a friendly celebration and meal and […]
November is National Native American Heritage Month, also called American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. This serves as a time to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of Native people and honor their rich and vibrant cultures. Both Natives and non-Natives can celebrate this month by learning more about Native culture and supporting the Native […]
Quinault Pride Seafood was established in 1960 by the Quinault Indian Nation on the Washington coast on the Olympic Peninsula. The Taholah, Washington, based company was founded to create economic sustainability through carrying on the way of life of the Quinault people. The company’s mission is to provide jobs to the community and preserve the Quinault heritage. According to the Quinault […]
The Nizhoni Soap Company was founded in July 2019 by now 12-year-old Kamia Begay. She and her parents, Rhianna Brown and the late Tom Begay, decided to start the business to share their all-natural Navajo Native American scents with the world. Kamia is in charge of her entire brand, with the help of her mother and a handful of employees. She makes all […]
In partnership with Southern Oregon University (SOU), SweetGrass recently donated small gifts to boarding school survivors and descendants who were part of a panel for SOU’s Native American Programs: Boarding School Healing Community. SOU’s Native American Student Union and Native American Studies program have been working together since this summer to honor and bring awareness to the victims of […]
The I-Collective is releasing a multimedia, digital cookbook featuring recipes, videos, stories and more from Indigenous chefs and community members. The cookbook will also feature supplemental webinars to help teach community members about the importance of food sovereignty and traditional food systems for Indigenous peoples. The goal and purpose of this project is to create meaningful conversations […]
One of SweetGrass Trading’s yaupon tea vendors, CatSpring Yaupon, recently became Regenerative Organic Certified. It is the first yaupon producer to do so. Regenerative Organic Certified™ is a revolutionary new certification for food, textiles, and personal care ingredients. ROC™ farms and products meet the highest standards in the world for soil health, animal welfare, and farmworker fairness. CatSpring received certification in 2021 […]
SweetGrass recently became an official member of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA). According to the organization’s website, “For nearly two decades, AIANTA has served as the national voice for American Indian nations engaged in cultural tourism. In addition to serving as the voice for Indian Country tourism, AIANTA provides technical assistance and training to […]
SweetGrass is proud to offer sage from Magic Star sage, a Cherokee-owned business from Sacramento, California. Owner Narey Keomorakoth founded the business in 1998. Keomorakoth started the business because she wanted to share the plant medicine and its blessings. She and her family began harvesting sage on their five acres of land in Northern California. From cutting the fresh plants to handcrafting and tying the […]
One of the main goals at SweetGrass is to make Native-made products accessible to all through our online store. We want to make sure everyone, even those in urban areas, are able to purchase things like sage, Indian Corn, wild rice and Native-made beauty products. However, it’s about more than accessibility — it’s also about education. In 2020, SweetGrass began a major […]
If you aren’t new to this website, you know that SweetGrass sources products from various Tribes and Tribal entities through the U.S. Our products must either be made by Native Americans or meet certain criteria to be sold in our online shop. You can learn more about our product classifications here. We choose our vendors carefully and make sure […]
Name: -Traditional name is Lakhwawyʌhu (Good Cook) -English name is Rick Powless Location: Six Nations of the Grand River Territory Education/background: -Fanshawe College, Apprenticeship -Red Seal Chef (Canada) -Dip. Ed. (Diploma in Education-Secondary), University of Western Ontario Business name: Standing Stone Foods Tribe: onʌyoteˀa ká, ohkwaliha ká (Oneida Nation of the Thames, Bear Clan) What led to your passion for indigenous foods? […]
It’s back to school season, and that means preparing breakfasts that are both delicious and nourishing. We have plenty of ideas for you for those days when you just don’t feel like having another bowl of cereal. Plus, these products are made with traditional Native ingredients. Wild rice pancake mix and syrup This gift set includes one bag […]
Nemi was founded by Mexican native Regina Trillo in 2019, after not feeling represented when she visited the “ethnic” aisle at a grocery store in Chicago. She found well-established brands showing Mexican-inspired products in a stereotypical way and using questionable ingredients. “I started Nemi with the idea of combining my 3 passions: health, transparency and LOVE […]
Name: Freddie Bitsoie Location: Gallup, NM Education/background: Scottsdale Culinary Institute Business name: F J Bits Tribe: Navajo What led to your passion for indigenous foods? That is a loaded question because it was an unplanned journey in my anthropology studies. Back in 2007-08 I came across the term, “native American cuisine”. It did not make sense to me, but it was one that was very […]
At the base of the legendary Sleeping Ute Mountain in Colorado, between Four Corners Monument and Mesa Verde National Park, lies the home of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. That’s where Bow & Arrow started in 1962. The company has been proudly producing high quality products ever since. Bow & Arrow is part of the Ute Mountain […]
SweetGrass is excited to announce Sharon Bassette as the 2021 Ho-Chunk Trading Group scholarship recipient. Bassette is a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and is a resident of Winnebago. She is a 2018 graduate of Todd County High School in Mission, SD. She is currently a senior at Morningside University in Sioux City, where she studies political science with minors in […]
Most people know honey is great as a natural sweetener in your tea or drizzled on top of your frybread. But did you know you can use honey to get shinier hair and healthier skin? Shop our Ioway Bee Farm natural honey on our website and try some of these beauty hacks below. Use honey as a face mask Raw honey boasts various […]
Blue cornmeal has been used for decades in traditional Native dishes. Originally developed by the Hopi tribe, it is ground from whole blue corn and has a fresh, sweet flavor. Blue cornmeal can be used in a variety of ways and in several dishes. Below, we list three ways you can use Bow and Arrow blue cornmeal at […]
(bio from From https://sioux-chef.com/) Sean Sherman, Oglala Lakota, born in Pine Ridge, SD, has been cooking across the US and World for the last 30 years. His main culinary focus has been on the revitalization and awareness of indigenous foods systems in a modern culinary context. Sherman’s cookbook, “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen,” can be purchased in our shop. […]
Outdoor picnics and potluck dinners are back this summer, and we’re here to help you make a dish that will leave friends and family saying, “Share that recipe with me!” These three recipes take a modern spin on classic Native foods such as smoked salmon, wild rice and Tepary beans! Let us know your favorite potluck meal […]
Name: Justin Pioche Location: Upper Fruitland, NM Education/background: Kirtland Central High school (diploma), Arizona Culinary Institute (Certificate in Culinary Arts) Business name: Pioche FoodGroup, LLC Tribal affiliation: Navajo. Salt Clan Navajo born for the Folded Arms People What led to your passion for indigenous foods? I was not raised traditionally. I was born in Farmington, NM, but spent a lot of my time in Phoenix, AZ, throughout my life. That […]
Hiking and camping season has arrived! We’ve made a list of snack ideas that are healthy and can be easily packed and stored for outdoor travel. Share your favorite camping snacks with us in the comments. P.S. Don’t forget to protect your skin and apply Little Hands Hawaii sunscreen before heading outdoors! Tanka Bars Tanka buffalo bars are built on our ancestors’ knowledge of the Ideal Portable […]
Born to Cree parents and raised by a Métis father and Mi’kmaw-Irish mother, Shane M. Chartrand has spent the past ten years learning about his history, visiting with other First Nations peoples, gathering and sharing knowledge and stories, and creating dishes that combine his diverse interests and express his unique personality. The result is “tawâw: Progressive Indigenous […]
Name: Mariah Gladstone Location: Babb, MT (Blackfeet Reservation) Education/background: Bachelor of science in environmental engineering, Columbia University; Master of science in Environmental Science, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (In Progress) Business name: Indigikitchen Tribe: Blackfeet, Cherokee What led to your passion for indigenous foods? While I was encouraged from a young age to experiment in the kitchen, seeing the health issues that plague Indian […]
Applications for the Native Scholarship program are due on Friday, June 30. SweetGrass will award a $1,250 scholarship to an eligible applicant who meets our the following criteria: • Be an undergraduate student who has not already earned a bachelor’s degree.• Be an enrolled Tribal member of a qualified Indian Tribe. (See qualified Indian Tribes/Reservations […]
SweetGrass Trading Company honored local graduates of Winnebago High School with small gifts of white sage, a Tanka bison bar and congratulatory letters. Forty-one students graduated from Winnebago High on Sunday, May 16. The last year has been difficult for many students due to COVID-19. SweetGrass employees wanted to honor the students with a gift and acknowledge all […]
Name: Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz Location: Rio Verde, AZ Education/background: Natural foods chef and traditional healer Business name: Kitchen Curandera Tribe: Xicana with Tewa lineage on mother’s side What led to your passion for indigenous foods? Having grown up eating many of our traditional foods, I also saw how many of them were disappearing from our lives as the standard American diet became more prevalent. During that time I saw my mother […]
SweetGrass Trading Company recently donated a gift basket to a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Walks Team. Each year thousands of people across the U.S. gather to help raise awareness and support for those living with a mental health condition. According to the NAMIWalks website, “On the day of the event, NAMIWalks participants, mental health advocates, and NAMI partners will step up our […]
When Anna Shawver moved from New Mexico to the Pacific Northwest in the mid 1980s, she was left with a deep longing for everything she had taken for granted in her home state. She missed the music, dance, fiestas, food and family gatherings. Some of her favorite New Mexican foods were not available in the […]
Name: Molly Roe Title: Account and Brand Manager Education: University of Nebraska Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications – Master of Arts in Communications Tribal affiliation: Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska What do you do at SweetGrass? I am the account and brand manager at SweetGrass Trading Company. I help the team find new vendors and handle the onboarding process to bring […]
by Molly Roe with contributions from Lewis St. Cyr, program director, HoChunk Renaissance Program We get a lot of questions about sage at SweetGrass Trading Company, and we want to take a minute to have a discussion. Sage is a medicine and traditionally, medicines are to be gifted. Many Native people do not condone the selling of sage, while […]
SweetGrass Trading Company is proud to offer Tanka Bars, meat bars made with bison and cranberries, in a variety of flavors. Tanka Bars are similar to traditional pemmican or Lakota wasná, which is a pounded mix of dried buffalo meat and berries. Loosely translated in Lakota, “wasná ” means “all mixed up.” The Tanka Bar was created in 2006 on […]
El Paso Saddleblanket Company began when Dusty and Bonnie Henson were traveling along Route 66 selling turquoise jewelry and Mexican saddleblankets out of the back of their old truck. During their travels, they met a man who owned several trading posts in New Mexico. The man asked the Hensons if they were interested in manufacturing Southwest-style rugs. The Hensons took him up on the offer and […]
by Rachel Hatch, Illinois State University Oglala Lakota Chef Sean Sherman will explore decolonizing the food system with events at Illinois State University on April 14 and 15. Founder of the company The Sioux Chef, Sherman will share his journey of discovering, reviving, and reimagining Indigenous cuisine with the talk “The (R)evolution of Indigenous Food Systems of North America” […]
Chiles can add a spicy kick and bold flavor to almost any recipe, whether it’s meat, stew, salsa or salads. There are several varieties of chiles available—the degree of heat depends on the location its grown, the variety, and the time of harvest. In her cookbook, “Foods of the Southwest Indian Nations,” Chef Lois Ellen Frank, Ph.D., describes several types […]
Want to learn more about Native culture and modern issues surrounding Indian Country? Check out these popular blogs, then tell us your favorite Native-focused blog in the comments! Turtle Talk Turtle Talk is known as the “leading blog on legal issues in Indian Country.” Visit this blog to hear from Native lawyers, educators and other professionals about current […]
Hominy takes a little extra time to make, but is fairly easy and can add texture and color to salads, soups and skillets. Purchase some of our Indian Corn and make your own hominy today! The following hominy recipe is from the cookbook “Foods of the Southwest Indian Nations” by Chef Lois Ellen Frank, Ph.D. How to make hominy: -2 ¾ cups dried Indian Corn -10 cups water -1 cup culinary ash […]
Name: Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart Location: Rapid City, SD Education/background: Cornell University- entrepreneurship, Native American studies and economics Business name: Et-i-quette Catering Company Tribe: Oglala Lakota Sioux What led to your passion for indigenous foods? I have been cooking for my family since I was about 8 years old. Every summer we would come home to Pine Ridge to be with my mother. She always taught me […]
The Annual Conference on Native American Nutrition is excited to announce “Celebrating Indigenous Women Chefs”. This first of its kind webinar series highlights the culinary expertise of Indigenous women through seven LIVE cooking demonstrations. Join us each month as the featured guest chefs share their skills, knowledge, wisdom, and recipes. Tuesday, January 12th, 12:00 pm […]
Name: Chef Lois Ellen Frank, Ph.D. Location: Santa Fe, NM Education/background: Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico in Culinary Anthropology (2011) Business name: Red Mesa Cuisine, LLC What initially led to your passion for indigenous foods? I think it was ingrained in me from the beginning. My mom always instilled in us that everything is interconnected and that you can’t do one […]
SweetGrass Trading Company recently worked with several organizations to distribute donated hand sanitizer to the Twelve Clans Unity Hospital in Winnebago and three other local tribes. shift7, an innovation company located in Arizona, Washington, D.C., and New York, has helped tribal leaders to access donations of personal protective equipment and supplies such as masks, hand sanitizer, isolation […]
Indian Corn, or Flint corn, is one of the oldest types of corn and comes in a variety of colors. It can be used to make hominy, polenta, cornmeal, soups, and much more. Every year, Ho-Chunk Farms harvests Indian Corn on the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska using traditional methods. Community members can get involved by helping […]
For centuries, the Passamaquoddy people have lived and flourished on lands in Eastern Maine and Western New Brunswick, Canada. The name “Passamaquoddy” derives from the word peskotomuhkati, which literally means “people of the pollock-spearing place.” The Passamaquoddy live along the Atlantic Ocean and its bays and rivers within forests. For hundreds of years, the Passamaquoddy hunted, fished, […]
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (The National Center) has announced the 2020 class of Native American 40 Under 40 award recipients. SweetGrass Trading Company congratulates these outstanding individuals for their service and dedication to their communities and will honor each recipient with a small gift. The Native American 40 Under 40 recognizes 40 emerging American Indian and Alaska […]
If you need to pass the time during your commute, exercise routine or while doing household chores, check out these podcasts from across Indian country. These podcasts and radio shows tell stories and news through a Native lens and are both interesting and inspirational. We’ve made a list of a few of our favorites, but there […]
Haipazaza Phezuta is an online store offering natural beauty and wellness products. The company was founded in 2016 by T and Tipiziwin Tolman (right). The couple decided to forego any store-bought baby products for their children and instead turned to traditional Lakota medicine to treat children’s eczema. All their products are made using organic, natural ingredients. T is mixed […]
With COVID-19 on the rise, many holiday traditions will look different for us this year. We won’t be able to gather with friends and family in person, attend parties or exchange gifts. That doesn’t mean you can’t make great memories and start new traditions! Below are some safe and fun ideas to get you in the holiday spirit this year. […]
Name: Elena Terry Location: Wisconsin Dells, WI Education/background: Exec Chef/ Founder Wild Bearies Business name: Wild Bearies Tribe: Hocak (Ho-Chunk, Wisconsin) What led to your passion for indigenous foods? Our foods have always been a large part of my life. I think the connection and passion is something that has just always been there for me. Some of […]
Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? Why not support Tribes across the nation while you’re at it! Whether you’re looking to treat someone to a gift box or you want something small, we have you covered. Gifts for her Unwind bundle $24.99 includes: Haipazaza Phezuta Bath Bomb Haipazaza Phezuta Huckleberry Soap Bar Ioway Bee Farm Lip Balm – Cherry […]
This post is inspired by the book “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen” by Sean Sherman Indigenous people have enjoyed traditional teas and drinks brewed from local herbs and plants for centuries. Many of these beverages contain healing and medicinal properties. According to Chef Sean Sherman, “North American Native medicines share much with traditional Eastern medicines: all are grounded […]
November is National Native American Heritage Month. This serves as a time to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of Native people and honor their rich and vibrant cultures. Both Natives and non-Natives can celebrate this month by learning more about Native culture and supporting the Native community. Here are five ways you can get involved. […]
It’s a fun tradition for many families to carve pumpkins every year around Halloween. But don’t throw away the pulp and the seeds! There are tons of recipes you can make with fresh pumpkin. We’ve compiled a list of a few of our favorite dishes below using our products to help get you started. SeaBear Smokehouse Pumpkin Chowder What you’ll […]
Little Hands Hawaii was founded in 2011 when Rosalyn Ardoin and Michael Koenigs welcomed their first daughter into the world. As Rosalyn, a registered nurse, was shopping for sunscreen for her new baby, she began to realize that the “natural” sunscreens in health stores were full of toxic chemicals and ingredients she couldn’t even pronounce. […]
Wheat is the most commonly consumed grain in the United States. Wheat berries, however, are relatively uncommon in American kitchens. Wheat berries are the edible part of the wheat kernel. They include the bran, germ and the endosperm before the grain undergoes any processing or any refinement occurs. Wheat berries are wheat in its most […]
The Ioway Bee Farm, owned and operated by the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska in White Cloud, Kansas, was founded in spring 2016. Prior to the beginning of the farm, the Tribe was contacted by elder Pete Fee, who had raised bees and sold honey from his home for years. Fee reached out to […]
by Ally Karsyn About 25 producers grew nearly 20 acres of Indian corn. Community members recently gathered to help process this year’s harvest. The corn was handpicked, husked, then blanched in large pots over the new fire pit by Village Market. Once cooled, the kernels were spooned off the cobs and sun dried on screens. […]
This post is inspired by the book “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen” by Sean Sherman The early cultivation of corn made a huge impact on Native people. Not only did corn feed many people, but it didn’t require hunting, fishing, trapping or gathering. Growing corn could be done from home. This freed up time to […]
In 2018, SweetGrass Trading Company, a member of Ho-Chunk Trading Group, launched a scholarship program awarding funds to a Native student planning to attend college. The funds are given to students who are attending, or planning to attend, a four-year college, two-year college, or technical school. Any Native student is encouraged to apply. This year’s […]
This post is inspired by the book “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen” by Sean Sherman Dried beans are a staple in Native American cuisine. They are high in protein and add depth to soups, stews and salads. When pureed, they become a soft dough for fritters and burgers. Here is a list of a few […]
This post is inspired by the book “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen” by Sean Sherman Squashes are an important indigenous food with a deep history. The Miami Tribe gifted seeds of an enormous orange squash to a Menominee tribal member, who shared the seeds with Mohican, Oneida and Ojibwe gardeners. This ancient squash, dubbed “Big […]
This post is inspired by the book “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen” by Sean Sherman Seeds of local vegetables such as squash, pumpkin, sunflower and maple make a delicious, healthy snack when roasted. They can also be used in sweets such as cookies and granola, or as a garnish for salads and soups. Once roasted, […]
Yaupon Brothers American Tea Company was founded in 2012 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, by brothers Bryon and Kyle White. Bryon, who has a background working in law enforcement, said he has always been a plant enthusiast and is part of the Florida Native Plant Society. When he started diving into the story of Yaupon, […]
Most of us know about the health benefits of raw, organic honey products. But what about bee pollen? What is it and how can it be used? Bee pollen is a mixture of flower pollen, nectar, enzymes, wax, honey and bee secretions. Honey bees collect pollen from wild plants and flowers and bring it back […]
This post is inspired by the book “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen” by Sean Sherman Many people don’t know that wild greens such as dandelion greens, purslane and plantain can be used in various recipes. These plants are typically picked from lawns and considered nuisances, but many wild greens are packed with healthful vitamins and […]
Takelma Roasting Company was founded in 2017 and is owned and operated by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe, which is located in Southwestern Oregon. Takelma is the traditional language of the Tribe, and is only spoken in that region. The Tribe launched the company after realizing how much they were spending to supply […]
Ramona and Terry Button began farming in 1974 on a ten-acre allotment near Sacaton, Arizona, on the Gila River Indian Reservation. Their first crops included barley and alfalfa; the Ramona Farms line of products has since grown to include wheat and corn products, black eyed peas, garbanzo beans and Tepary beans. Ramona’s father, Francisco ‘Chiigo’ […]
Name: Crystal Wahpepah Location: Oakland, California Business name: Owner, Wahpepah’s Kitchen Tribe: Kickapoo What led to your passion for Indigenous foods? I always loved Native foods and I got to cook at a young age with family. It came so natural for me to be in the kitchen, like it was my gateway to […]
This post is inspired by the book “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen” by Sean Sherman Keep these herbs and seasonings in your pantry to add flavor and depth to your indigenous recipes.Some of these grow in the wild and can be foraged. For those that aren’t available, visit your local organic market or health food […]
SweetGrass Trading Company is proud to offer a variety of black, brown and white Tepary beans from Ramona Farms in Sacaton, AZ. Tepary beans have been part of the Native way of life for years. They have been cultivated for at least a thousand years by the Natives of the Sonoran desert, the Akimel O’odham […]
Looking for inspiration on how to cook indigenous recipes? We’ve compiled a list to help you begin. Check out the cookbooks below (in no particular order) for indigenous recipes, cooking tips and tricks, and even traditional stories! Keep in mind there are many other authorized indigenous cookbooks available. These are eight to help you get […]
SeaBear Smokehouse was founded in 1957 by fisherman Tom Savidge and his wife, Marie, in Anacortes, Washington. The pair began selling smoked salmon to local taverns and cafes and their product became quite popular. The company, now called SeaBear Smokehouse, was originally named Specialty Seafoods. The name was changed in the early 90s to ground […]
Name: Sean Sherman Location: Minnesota Business name: The Sioux Chef Tribe: Oglala Lakota What led to your passion for indigenous foods? Basically, I had just been in restaurants my whole life. I started working in restaurants when I was just barely 13. So, I worked at restaurants all through high school and college. After college, […]
What is SweetGrass Trading Company? We are an online store that offers Native American food, gifts and health and beauty products. We are a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk Trading Group, a division of Ho-Chunk, Inc., the economic development corporation of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. We are solely owned by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Where […]
Sakari Botanicals was founded in 2014 by Spring Alaska Olson, under the Department of Agriculture’s USDA Inter-Tribal Agricultural Council. The word “Sakari” means “sweet” in the traditional Inupiaq language Olson uses traditional practices she learned from her Inuit family to grow local plants, flowers and herbs and create oils, salves, teas, and more. Olson grew […]
Name: Hillel Echo-Hawk Location: Seattle, WA Business name: Birch Basket Tribe: Pawnee and Athabaskan What led to your passion for Indigenous foods? I grew up in rural Alaska in the upper Athabaskan area in the town of Delta Junction. Our neighbors were an Athabaskan family who lived in Mentasta Lake Village. My family would travel […]
For thousands of years, Native people inhabited the oak forests and rolling hills of Capay Valley, nestled in northern California. Today the land is planted with olive trees, vineyards and a bounty of other crops. Seka Hills is the line of agricultural products that come from this land. The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation chose the […]
The Ho-Chunk Village Farmer’s Market 2020 season will begin on Wednesday, June 17 and will be held every Wednesday until Oct. 14. There will be certain protocols and regulations in place to ensure the safety of community members. The protocols are as follows: Shop and exit. Stay 6 feet apart. Wash produce when you return […]
Major Robinson, an enrolled Northern Cheyenne from Montana, and his wife Michelle, a transplant from Orlando, Florida, with Irish/Scottish ancestry, met in their former career of designing and building theme parks for Universal Studios. Two years ago, they launched a boutique gift shop, Sage & Oats Trading Post, in downtown Helena to help bridge a […]
The chaotic times during the COVID-19 pandemic have left a lot of us feeling lonely, bored or unable to help. If you’re healthy and able, there are many ways you can support your community during these times. Below are just a few examples of how you can get involved while still maintaining a safe social […]
