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, @thesiouxchef / @indigenousfoodlab 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment