Roasted turkey, bison stew, roasted cornbread, sunbutter cookies and three sisters casserole are just a few dishes on the menu for the 16th annual First Nations Food Taster, hosted by the Center for Native American Studies (CNAS) at NMU. This event is open to the public to come eat and experience Native American culture.
The First Nations Food Taster features food that is inspired by a project dedicated to collecting recipes made by indigenous people that would have been eaten before European colonization. The event will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 4 in the D.J. Jacobetti Complex. Senior Native American studies major Caitlin Wright is a member of the Native American Student Association (NASA) and has helped to make this event happen.
“The reason I love being part of this so much is just the fact that it’s such an inclusive event,” Wright said. “It’s meant for everyone to be there and to really enjoy.”
Wright said many NMU departments have been helping NASA organize the food taster including the Multicultural Education and Resource Center (MERC), the College of Art and Design, Academic Information Services and the Devos Art Museum.
“A lot of work goes into this event, and thankfully we’re surrounded by not only a great community here on campus, but also a great community off-campus,” Wright said.
Wright added NASA has been working on the promotion and production of the food taster by speaking with local radio stations and asking local businesses and communities for donations of food and door prizes.
The food taster will serve as a fundraiser for the 25th annual “Learning to Walk Together” traditional pow wow, expected to be hosted by the CNAS in March 2017.
The food taster also pushes mindfulness to the importance of the environment and the importance of local foods, Andreaka Jump, junior art and design major and co-president of NASA, said.
“You can bring your own bag with reusable dishes to cut down on waste. If you bring your own bag with dishes, you can be entered to win a prize,” she said.
Tickets can be bought in advance at the CNAS office in 112 Whitman Hall or the MERC located at 3001 Hedgcock. Tickets sold in advance are $5 for students, veterans or elders and $12 for the general public. Tickets can also be bought at the door for $7 for students, elderly or veterans and $15 for the general public.
