Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Honoring Native Heritage Month 2025: Peltier, Gladstone, and Food Sovereignty
Saturday, October 18, 2025
"MERCILESS INDIAN SAVAGES"---DECLARATION OF INDEPENDANCE
It doesn’t matter what you think about me or the opinions you have of me. I live by the understanding that we all have a right to speak our truth. This country was built on freedom of speech.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
A Tribute to Chef Morgan Batali
I’m not in a good place this evening. I’m utterly gutted
over the news of a good friend, someone I met earlier this year, whom I knew
deep down could have become one of my greatest companions on this food journey.
Chef Morgan Batali was a rare kind of talent, a chef who
understood the art of pairing flavors with soul. His sophistication in the
kitchen came from more than skill; it came from a deep understanding of energy,
intention, and the way good food connects people. That’s what drew so many into
his orbit, the patrons, the community, and all who crossed paths with him at
Vinbero in Edmonds.
Over the summer, I had the opportunity to showcase my food
at Vinbero, a beautiful wine bar nestled in Old Town Edmonds, right along the
waterways where the ferries come and go. I hosted two pop up culinary
experiences there: July 25 to 26 and September 12 to 13, centered on Native
Foods. Morgan was instrumental in the success of both events. He and his team
brought my narratives and flavors to life, helping me tell the story of truth
and history on a plate.
What struck me most about Morgan was his determination to
amplify my message, to create a space where storytelling and flavor met in
harmony. He wanted the conversations about food, culture, and history to feel
welcoming, honest, and alive.
To have a successful pop up, you must connect deeply with
the staff, understand their rhythms, their personalities, their trust. It is
not always easy bringing a new culinary perspective into an existing space. But
Morgan made it seamless. He was both a perfectionist and a creative genius,
embracing every flavor and idea that resonated with his community.
During those events, I had the honor of sitting with Morgan
for hours, talking about where our food origins began and where the future of
food might go. His expertise, even in his short life, was extraordinary. His
knowledge of cuisines, regional ingredients, local vendors, and the rituals
behind each dish was vast, but what set him apart was his kindness.
In a world where many kitchens lack empathy, Morgan led with
it. He taught his staff not just how to cook, but how to care for the food, for
the patrons, and for each other. He carried no ego, only a quiet confidence
that inspired everyone around him.
Tonight I feel angry. Angry that the conversations we shared
have been cut short. His wisdom and spirit will stay with me always. But I wish
I had picked up the phone more often, just to say thank you for the lively
discussions we had over food.
To the Batali family, the Edmonds community, and the entire
Vinbero team, my deepest condolences. This loss is massive. Vinbero has always
taken pride in creating everything from scratch, with care, precision, and
little waste. Morgan’s brilliance, his intricate, thoughtful approach to
flavor, was and always will be one of Vinbero’s greatest gifts.
I’ll end with this… Friends come and go, but the ones who
make a lasting mark on your life are worth holding close. In the short time I
knew Morgan, he inspired me to keep growing, keep learning, and keep
connecting.
So please, hold on to the people who lift you up. Find
inspiration in others. And don’t wait to tell them how much they mean to you
while they’re still here.
Rest easy, Chef Morgan.
Your legacy lives on in the kitchens you’ve touched, the flavors you’ve
crafted, and the people you’ve inspired.
--Ramon Shiloh/2025
Monday, September 29, 2025
Fighting Injustice with Food Sovereignty
End of Summer Harvest (Portland Oregon/USA)
Foraged Ingredients, Snap Peas, Radishes, Heirloom Tomatoes, Meyer Lemon and Green
Chile Hush Puppies with Blackberry Dressing, Flaked Sea Salt.
This dish honors the land and the knowledge of the people who came before us, who took only what was needed and gave thanks. In a dive bar where the environment is raw, real, and unpretentious, these lightly fried cornmeal hush puppies bright with Meyer lemon, sweetened with blackberry, mirror the simplicity and abundance of nature itself. It is comfort, tradition, and gratitude rolled into one bite.
United States Government Ration Food (Bison Frybread Memorial Observed)
(Southern and Midwestern United States)
Brined Coffee Ground Bison Meat with Whipped White Beans, Green
Hatch Chile Marinated Tomatoes, Smoked Charred Pickled Onions, Sweet Potato Purée,
Root Vegetables, and Bison Tallow Molasses Gravy.
Here, the plate becomes a memorial. Frybread, born from forced government rations after the Indian Removal Act, tells a story of loss, survival, and reclamation. The bison, once nearly wiped from the land, is restored on the plate as a symbol of cultural renewal. This dish embodies remembrance, resilience, and the reclamation of sovereignty, the perfect complement to a space like The Checkered Flag II, where history, grit, and survival stories live in every corner.
Strength in Numbers Starting with One (Immigration We Stand)
(United States, Mexico, South America)
Smoked and Fried Poblano Chile Stuffed with Chayote Squash,
Corn Masa, White Beans, Nopales Cactus, Tomatoes, and Queso Fresca. Finished
with Red Mole, Salsa Blanca, and Avocado Sauce.
Every ingredient tells a story of resilience, migration, and hope. This dish honors the immigrant families whose labor sustains our communities while highlighting the cruelty and fear imposed by unjust systems. Here, in a dive bar that values inclusivity, we celebrate these stories through food, giving voice to resilience, compassion, and the enduring human spirit.
Native Flapjacks: The Cycle of Life (Youth to Elderhood)
(Great Lakes and Southwest Contemporary Fusion)
Sweet Potato and Wild Rice Pancakes with Ancho Chile Blueberry Sauce, Fried Sage, and
Charred Herbed Cultured Butter.
This dish reflects life’s cycles, from youth to elderhood, honoring both the sacred gifts of the land and the wisdom passed through generations. In the lively, sometimes chaotic environment of a dive bar, it reminds us that transformation, learning, and reflection are possible in even the most
unexpected spaces.
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Skagit River Interpretive Center’s 2026 Poster Revealed
As the year closes and a new beginning rises, the eagle soars beneath the sun’s radiant light. Its wings carry the wisdom of the skies, while the salmon below, its chosen source of sustenance, reminds us of life’s cycles and the skill required to endure them. In the distance, Mother Earth flows gently through the Skagit Valley, grounding the eagle’s flight with her nurturing strength. Together, these elements embody resilience, freedom, and the sacred balance of life.
The eagle, illuminated from above and nourished from below, lives with pride and strength within the harmony of the cosmos.
I would like to thank the “Skagit River Interpretive Center“ for allowing me to illustrate another year of artwork in support of their mission to educate the public about the health and well-being of our beautiful eagles in the Pacific Northwest. This marks my fourth year creating art for their cause, and it is an honor to contribute to such meaningful work. To know more about the organization, go to https://skagiteagle.org/
Thank you 💕✨
🎨medium: charcoal, prismacolor premier pencils, koh-i-noor rapidograph pens, Iwata airbrush, digital art for placement and refinement.
©Ramon Shiloh/2025-‘26
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Dinner at “VINBERO” with Chef Ramon Shiloh
I want to say thank you so much to “Vinbero” for giving me a place to share my stories through food. On September 12th and 13th I will be cooking dinners that explore First Nations foods, weaving them together to tell a story of Native American history, community, and the resilience of how far we have come, carrying traditional values into modern life.
The six courses I am serving are really a journey into my own life here in the Pacific Northwest. Each dish carries pieces of what I have lived, loved, and held close to my heart.
The first course takes on the myth of “firewater,” speaking honestly about both the harm it brought and the strength of those who carried its weight.
The second course, “Grazing in Summer,” is a salad that brings together the medicines of the Pacific Northwest, essential during the harvest seasons.
The third dish, “Lifecycle of Salmon and Fried Clams,” is at the heart of this place. It tells the story of land and sea coming together, of natural migration and memory, and of the endless cycle of renewal.
The fourth dish, “Duwamish Long House (Recognition),” is a smoked vegetarian terrine. Its form reflects the steadiness of the longhouse and honors the home that once belonged to Chief Seattle.
The fifth dish, “Four Legged Land Acknowledgment, Three Ways,” brings together bison, venison, and elk in acorn tortillas. It is bold and grounding, but also gentle, a way of honoring survival, balance, and the ties between land, food, and identity.
The final dish, “Native Flapjacks: The Cycle of Life, Youth to Elderhood,” is a dessert that speaks to the circle of life. It reminds us of the sweets we loved as children and the way those flavors follow us as we grow older, carrying memory and innocence full circle.
“Vinbero” in Edmonds, Washington is such a special place to share this story. Kris and Kali Kelnero, dear friends of mine, have been asking me to collaborate for years, and now after fifteen years we finally made it happen. I am so grateful to them for opening their space and for making this dinner possible.
If you are interested in joining us on September 12 or 13, go HERE. We still have seats available on September 13. I would love to share this dinner with you.
Monday, August 11, 2025
Ramon Shiloh Teams with the Skagit Watershed Council to Illustrate Poster
I would like to thank the @skagitwatershedcouncil for the opportunity to collaborate on two meaningful projects. One (pending) for their website and the other for the promotional poster for “Salmon Day At The Market”, taking place on September 6th at The Riverwalk Plaza in Downtown Mount Vernon Washington.
As an environmental artist, I am committed to creating work that raises awareness about endangered species and the ecosystems they depend on. The design of the poster is meant to reflect the strong connection between the Skagit River and the communities, cultures, and wildlife it supports. The circular motif symbolizes hope and unity among native traditions, farming and fishing cultures, and the surrounding wild lands.
A meaningful part of this work is my “legacy feathers”, which carry a connection to the coastal neighboring tribes that honor the salmon’s life cycle. These feathers symbolize the winged beings who like salmon, depend on the abundance of the region’s natural resources. Their presence in the artwork represents the sacred balance between land, water, and sky, and the shared responsibility to protect what sustains us all.
I recognize that the Skagit River is one of the last best hopes for protecting Chinook salmon, with approximately 50 percent of the Puget Sound population originating from this watershed. All salmon are connected to this river, and your support plays a crucial role in protecting their future.
‘Since 1997, the Skagit Watershed Council has led efforts to bring people together through habitat restoration, public education, and collaborative partnerships to protect and restore salmon ecosystems.’
I am honored to contribute my art to that mission and deeply grateful for this opportunity.
🎨Medium: Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Sumi Ink
©Ramon Shiloh/2025
Monday, July 7, 2025
✨An Insomniac’s Reflections on Time, Place, and Resistance✊
I have learned that having a plan does not guarantee stability. Life shifts. Systems shift, and sometimes, those in power shift the ground beneath us, deliberately. Communities that have fought hard to build leadership and local trust, are often the very ones targeted for dismantling.
We are seeing it happen, where local leaders are silenced, institutions defunded, and decisions made without the people most affected in the room.When that happens, we cling to what gives us hope, even if it looks different than what we imagined. But hope alone is not enough.
We must be clear eyed about what is at stake. Serving our communities means protecting the voices within them, especially when those voices are under threat. It means asking hard questions, staying grounded in our values, and refusing to be passive when structures are being quietly eroded.
This is a reminder: leadership does not disappear overnight. It is pushed out, undermined, or co opted. If we care about the future, we need to be just as committed to defending local leadership as we are to dreaming about what is possible.
©Ramon Shiloh/2025
Monday, June 16, 2025
🔥FOOD JOURNAL PART 2🔥 Holy Moly Bar Popup Event
I want to reflect on what recently took place in Tacoma, WA.
I hosted a pop-up at Holy Moly Bar. It was more than a dinner, it was a conversation. My goal was to introduce First Nations foods into a space where they are rarely seen and challenge how we relate to alcohol. This wasn’t about judgment but about inviting dialogue about why we consume, how we consume, and the meaning behind it.
Alcohol has deeply harmed Indigenous communities, often simplified under the myth of “firewater.” Yet alcohol itself is neutral; its power lies in our relationship with it. That inspired my first course:
🔥FIREWATER with Yaupon Tea and Juniper Sticky Corn (Southeastern United States)
Juniper Sticky Corn reflects warmth, excess, and the influence of alcohol, infused with medicinal juniper powder for balance. Yaupon tea, sacred to Southeastern Indigenous peoples, offers purification and ceremony. Together, they represent two opposing forces: altered states and natural order. The dish ignites alcohol in flame, symbolizing transformation. Each sip, each bite, asked guests to consume with intention, because every choice carries a story.
Holy Moly was the perfect setting: rustic wood grain, minimalist sophistication, and bartenders skilled in the history of spirits. Owner Matt Coppins welcomed my vision, recognizing this was about honest engagement with alcohol’s role, not condemnation.
This event also marked my return to Tacoma, where I had an opportunity of opening a restaurant before an accident in 2021 derailed my plans. Preparing for this pop-up allowed me to reignite that purpose, bringing food sovereignty and healing into public spaces.
Thank you to Ms. Janes Fine Dining in Fife for providing prep space and ingredients, to Matt and the @holymolybar staff for their openness, to @asa_nutter for standing by me, and to @cowlitzforager for grounding me in the rhythms of the land.
And to every guest: thank you for listening, feeling, and understanding. That is the real nourishment.
📸 A sampling of the night. Courtesy of Kris Landes✨
Descriptions will be noted at another time. Still hunting for photos from the event. 😭
©Chef Ramon Shiloh/2025
Sunday, June 15, 2025
🔥FOOD JOURNAL PART ONE🔥 Leonard Peltier/Bison Tongue
In tumultuous times, I believe the most powerful way to bring people together is through gatherings where food serves as a bridge to understanding. These spaces create opportunities for meaningful conversations and healthy dialogue that can transform problems into solutions.
Even while practicing food justice, offering meals with care and diplomacy, our concerns are often overlooked by those unable to relate when sharing a table.
I was originally scheduled to cook Bison Tongue for Leonard Peltier. This opportunity held deep meaning for me and could have marked a turning point in my life. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Leonard and his family had to postpone. In response, Sean Sherman aka.Sioux Chef of Indigenous Food Lab invited me to Minneapolis to prepare the meal in Leonard’s honor.
What followed was an experience of reflection and connection. I approached the meal as a ceremonial offering, carefully selecting each ingredient to symbolize both Leonard’s confinement and his release. Regardless of differing views on his incarceration, one truth remains: we must all seek ways to heal from our experiences.
During my visit, I filmed the preparation of this ceremonial meal. It was never intended as a recipe but as a ceremony rooted in healing and storytelling. Each element was prepared with purpose and respect.
The Indigenous Food Lab is a professional Indigenous kitchen and training center committed to building a new Indigenous food system that reintegrates Native foods and education into tribal communities. They envision tribally operated kitchens that revitalize culture and nutrition across Native communities.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to my gofundme to get this project started. With this unexpected postponement, those dollars will still be used for the connection I will have with Leonard when the time is right. Thank you @alexciadevasquez, for traveling twenty seven hours with me to Minneapolis, and to OWAMNI and the Indigenous Food Lab team for allowing me to share this meaningful meal.
The FULL VIDEO is available on the “Indigenous Food Lab” YouTube channel.
Sunday, March 9, 2025
Kicking Rocks In All Directions
It’s clear where we stand today as a society. Whether you
lean right, left, or independent, I don’t care, because the damage has already
been done. I’ve accepted that I can’t stop a tornado and the chaos of
decision-making that unfolds while we sleep. Every day, we wake up to new
developments that either align with our hopes or bring unexpected consequences.
I care how these changes will affect us, whether they happen
naturally or by force. Like COVID, we will all feel the ripple effects of
executive orders that shape or hurt us. But with the complaints, one truth
remains: we have a voice, and there is a call to action. We must empower each
other to create meaningful change.
As an artist, chef, public speaker, and writer, I use my
gifts to shape narratives that challenge, inform, and inspire. We all have a
voice whether one of reason, distortion, or destruction, it demands attention.
Culturally, racially, and spiritually, we are all navigating toward a greater
understanding of our actions. At least, it seems to be that way.
Today’s debates often feel like an echo chamber, drowning
out the most critical issues. Instead of endless online debates, let’s create.
Artists like Joan Baez, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan, and Banksy have shaped
conversations through music and art. If you don’t consider yourself an artist,
become one. Design greeting cards, speak at open mics, study journalism, or
organize gatherings. Support local businesses, create flash mobs to uplift
struggling communities, and volunteer.
I rarely discuss politics because my friends span the
spectrum of beliefs. But my art will speak for itself when I perform The
Alphabet Monologues: A Political Art Book at the University of Oregon this
fall. It’s a show that goes straight to the core of the issues we’re facing in
2025. The Alphabet Monologues is more than a performance; it’s a political art
book brought to life, using storytelling, music, and visual art to challenge
perspectives and stir dialogue. In these times, let’s support each other, be
kind, and serve those in need. Thank you.
My Stupid Stamp
Signature!!
©Ramon Shiloh/2025
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Leonard Peltier’s Healing Meal
Walking a healthy path means navigating change, sometimes in
unexpected directions. My journey has been filled with doubts, missteps, and
uncertainty, yet each challenge has shaped my growth. Though imperfect, my road
is mine, and I am proud of where it has led me.
As I embark on my next food campaign, I see my path aligning with service and
healing.
I have been invited to cook a private dinner for Leonard Peltier and his
family. An honor I never expected. This “healing meal” will reflect his journey
and the new one he now begins. Through food and storytelling, it will embody
resilience, understanding, and the lessons carried forward through time.
Each course will carry meaning, honoring the four directions in a Native way.
It is my privilege to prepare this meal with care, respect, and love.
Kathy Peltier and her mother, Anne Begay, whom I’ve known since 2005, invited
me into this sacred moment. I am honored to nourish Leonard when the time is
right.
This moment feels historic, and I pray this meal brings not just sustenance but
healing. I look forward to preparing it with gratitude, knowing my food will
uplift those who receive it.
Titled: “Land and
Sky Unite” The hatchet symbolizes time being chipped away, as Mother Corn
nourishes us in times of need. As we smudge away negativity, we invite the
eagle to carry our spirits into a new realm of sustenance.
Welcome Home
Leonard Peltier.
©Chef Ramon Shiloh/2025
Thursday, February 20, 2025
My Partnership with Anne Mulaire
I am deeply grateful to be part of Anne Mulaire fashion company. Our journey together began when Anne reached out to me over Instagram, recognizing something in my heart that resonated with her vision. That connection led to a powerful collaboration, introducing my Indigenous Legacy Feather designs as part of an incredible collection for National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, 2023.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
How Fragile We Are
Life is built on routine. We wake up, prepare ourselves,
show up on time, and do our best. Over time, this routine becomes a system,
something we refine until it defines who we are. It becomes our legacy with a
path others might follow.
But what happens when everything we’ve worked for is
suddenly taken away by forces beyond our control? In nature, animals adapt.
When they fail, they retreat, survive, and try again. But humans struggle with
loss differently. Instead of accepting defeat and moving forward, we seek
revenge. We turn our frustration against each other.
For all our intelligence, we’re our own worst enemy. We harm
not only ourselves but also the world around us. In today’s society, success
isn’t just about building something meaningful. It’s about proving something to
others. And in that pursuit, we sometimes forget what truly matters.
©Ramon Shiloh/2025



















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