It’s time to get Holiday shopping wrapped up and we’re here to help. At SweetGrass, we have a gift for everyone – colleagues, clients, friends and family members…and even something for yourself! Below are some of our favorite gift ideas for 2022. Gift boxes We currently have three gift box options, making it easier than ever […]
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 […]
Saunooke’s Mill chicken and fish seasoning is made with corn flour, potato flakes, salt, pepper, onions and paprika. It contains no chemicals or preservatives. This seasoning is delicious on basically anything you can battery and bake or fry. Below we’ve highlighted a few recipe ideas that are kid-friendly, easy to make and tasty! Chicken tenders We’re […]
November is Native American Heritage Month! According to the National Congress of American Indians, this month is “a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Native American Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to […]
We have some exciting things in store for the Holiday season this year. If you’re looking for a gift for a friend, family member, colleague, or client, we have you covered. We will be offering two limited edition gifts this year. We will also have some great Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals you won’t […]
Established in 1975, Saunooke’s Mill is a landmark on the Cherokee Indian Reservation at the entrance to the Great Smokies National Park. The property on which the mill sits has been in the Saunooke family for many generations. The land was handed down to Charles Saunooke from his parents, former Principal Chief Osley Saunooke and […]
Self-care has become a popular trend, especially among millennials. Self-care is the practice of maintaining health and well-being through activities such as reading, taking bubble baths, journaling, and any other thing the individual enjoys. According to Psychology Today, “self-care is a continuous process of proactively considering and tending to your needs and maintaining your wellness.” […]
When the weather gets crisp and the leaves start to fall, nothing sounds better than a cozy night at home with a warm, home cooked meal. We have plenty of great autumn recipes on our website, but below we’ve highlighted a few of our favorites. Try them and let us know how they turned out! […]
We previously covered the potential health benefits of enjoying a cup of tea, including soothing an upset stomach, improving sleep and blood pressure and managing weight. Today, we will cover even more health benefits. What are you waiting for? Grab a cup of Tribal Tea Co. loose-leaf herbal tea and start your health journey today! […]
Name: Ethan Tyo Location: Syracuse, NY Education/background: Syracuse University ’17 G’22 Project name: The AlterNative Project Tribe: Akwesasne Mohawk, Wolf Clan What led to your passion for indigenous foods? This project and the drivers behind it came from my personal experiences growing up in a food desert where many of our traditional food sources were damaged or restricted. It wasn’t […]
There’s something about the toasty, sweet and savory taste of maple syrup that makes it the perfect addition to fall recipes and comfort food. Below, you’ll find a list of some of our favorite recipes* that utilize this versatile ingredient. Choose your favorite recipe and pick up your own bottle of Passamaquoddy Maple Syrup from […]
Name: Joe Robbins Location: Milo, Maine Education/background: Professional restaurant experience for 10+ years Business name: Executive Chef at Bissell Brothers Brewing Company Tribal affiliation: Wabanaki What led to your passion for indigenous foods? I’ve looked up to and learned from some of the other chefs that you’ve interviewed for this series, such as Sean Sherman, Brian Yazzie and Nephi Craig. […]
We want to make sure our customers are always updated on the latest news and resources from SweetGrass Trading. Below, you’ll find some new FAQs, as well as ones we’ve covered in the past. Please email us at sweetgrass@sweetgrasstradingco.com if there’s anything we missed! Are you Native owned? Yes, we are owned by Ho-Chunk Trading […]
Have you been using the cheaper olive oil you can find on the shelf? You might be missing out on various health benefits and better tasting food! When it comes to olive oil, quality and source matters. Below we’ve covered a few of the reasons why you shouldn’t always reach for the least expensive bottle, […]
Hot sauce is one of America’s most popular condiments, and according to a recent survey by grocery delivery service Instacart, 74 percent of people eat hot sauce with their food. With different flavors, heat levels and styles, it’s no surprise this versatile ingredient is so popular. Some of the most popular ways to use hot […]
We previously covered the potential benefits enjoying a cup of tea can have on your mental health. But are there any physical benefits? And if so, what are they and how can you get the most out of your tea drinking experience? Each type of herbal tea boasts unique benefits on your health. Below we’ve […]
SweetGrass is excited to announce a new product on our online store, Sakari Farms Fire Roasted Hot Sauce! SweetGrass has worked with Sakari Farms (also known as Sakari Botanicals) for several years to provide items such as smoked salts, bath scrubs, salves, lotions, oils and much more to our customers. The new Fire Roasted Hot […]
Red Lake Nation Foods is owned and operated by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians in Redby, Minnesota. The company was founded in 2005 as an effort to create jobs on the reservation and support food sovereignty. SweetGrass is proud to offer Red Lake Nation Foods wild rice, pancake mix and chokecherry jelly and […]
SweetGrass Trading Company recently joined the National Diversity Veteran Small Business (NDVSB) marketplace, powered by ePS, a leading provider of eMarketplace solutions, which is helping connect both federal and private organizations with diverse businesses. As a National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), SweetGrass can now better provide Native American-made products to […]
A warm cup of tea is the perfect way to start and end your day. Tea can help us unwind, leaving us feeling relaxed and calm. Tea can help relax your body, and it boasts several mental health benefits as well. Research is showing that enjoying a cup of your favorite tea can improve your […]
Does the idea of drinking tea sound about as exciting as drinking hot water filled with grass? Don’t worry…you can use these simple tea hacks to improve your tea drinking experience and make it more enjoyable! Experiment with the ideas below until you find something you like. You can shop our line of loose leaf […]
Name: Jessica L. Pamonicutt Location: Chicago Education/background: Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Business name: Ketapanen Kitchen Tribal affiliation: Menominee What led to your passion for indigenous foods? I grew up in Chicago, 250 miles away from my home, my reservation, my family and my culture. When you grow up disconnected in such a way, I feel like […]
Heat, allergies, bug bites, sunburns…the summer months may be filled with vacations and adventure, but they’re not always kind to our skin! Luckily, we have an array of products that can help keep you moisturized, cleansed and glowing through the dry summer season! Blue corn face mask The summer heat and humidity can clog up […]
Lakota Honey Lodge products are developed by Honey Lodge Youth Enterprise, a program of the non-profit organization Lakota Youth Development (LYD). The organization is located on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota and presently includes all of Todd County within its recognized border. Todd County ranks as the second poorest county in the U.S. […]
SweetGrass Trading Company is a member of Ho-Chunk Trading Group. Our mission is to help provide economic opportunity for the Winnebago Tribe. But we are also dedicated to helping other Native people get a hand up to build a better future. We are proud to offer a Native Scholarship Program for eligible Native college students […]
Name: Jordan Rainbolt Location: Winston Salem, NC Education/background: Chef apprenticeship through Johnson County Community College Business name: Native Root Tribal affiliation: Cherokee What led to your passion for Indigenous foods? My mother has Native American heritage from her father’s side (Cherokee and Choctaw). Growing up, my mother taught my brother and I about Indigenous culture. I want to highlight this […]
from the Val’s Frybread website In 2018 Valene Hatathlie was working towards her master’s degree from Arizona State University while holding down a full-time job. After getting laid off from her job, Val had to find another way to pay for tuition, program fees, and books. Initially, she tried selling her woven twill rugs, but […]
Name: Amy Foote, Senior Area Executive Chef Location: Anchorage, Alaska Education/background: Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professional, Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts, Constant Learning Business name: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Nana Management Services What led to your passion for indigenous foods? I have had a passion for foraging, hunting, fishing and growing my […]
from the National Center of American Indian Enterprise Development The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (The National Center) announced the 2022 class of Native American 40 Under 40 award recipients. The Native American 40 Under 40 awards represent the best and brightest emerging Indian Country leaders. Every year, 40 American Indian, Alaska Native, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 post-COVID vacation or road trip? Why not 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! Indigenous Eats This new restaurant opened […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
