The (R)Evolution of Indigenous Foods | Sean Sherman | TEDxSiouxFalls

Summary

Sean Sherman, a Native American chef, discusses the absence of indigenous foods in contemporary cuisine despite North America's rich indigenous history. He shares his journey of rediscovering pre-colonial foods and the importance of reviving indigenous food systems for health and cultural preservation. Sherman emphasizes the need for indigenous education to reconnect with native plants and animals, advocating for a return to traditional, diverse, and sustainable eating practices.

Takeaways

• 🍲 Sean Sherman is a Native American chef focused on indigenous foods, highlighting the importance of reconnecting with traditional Native American cuisine.
• 🌱 Sherman's company, The Sioux Chef, aims to educate about pre-contact and pre-colonial foods, emphasizing the need to understand colonialism to appreciate indigenous foods.
• 🏰 The script discusses the historical erasure of indigenous foods from the American diet due to policies like the Indian Removal Act and the Dawes Act, which disrupted Native American communities.
• 🐃 The destruction of the bison population by the U.S. government had a devastating impact on Native American tribes who relied on the animal for food and other necessities.
• 🏫 The boarding school system stripped Native American children of their cultural knowledge and heritage, including their understanding of indigenous foods and sustainable living practices.
• 🌾 Sherman argues for the revival of indigenous education to include topics like wild food, permaculture, native agriculture, and land stewardship to reconnect with ancestral knowledge.
• 🥩 Indigenous diets were diverse and sustainable, utilizing every part of hunted animals and a wide variety of plants, contrasting with the limited proteins in the modern Western diet.
• 🌿 There's a call to action for chefs and communities to explore and incorporate indigenous foods into their menus and lifestyles for health and cultural reasons.
• 🌍 Sherman envisions a future where indigenous-run food businesses are widespread, celebrating the diversity of Native American cuisine across North America.
• 💪 Empowerment through food sovereignty is key to improving health outcomes and reducing reliance on government food assistance programs in Native American communities.

Q & A

Who is Sean Sherman and what is his profession?

Sean Sherman is a chef who was born and raised in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. He is dedicated to indigenous foods and is the founder of a company called 'The Sioux Chef'.

What is the main focus of Sean Sherman's work?

Sean Sherman's work focuses on indigenous foods, particularly those of Native American origin. He aims to understand, preserve, and promote the culinary heritage of indigenous peoples.

What does Sean Sherman mean by 'pre-contact foods'?

Sean Sherman refers to 'pre-contact foods' as the foods that were consumed by indigenous peoples before the arrival of European colonizers.

Why does Sean Sherman emphasize the importance of understanding colonialism?

Sean Sherman emphasizes understanding colonialism to comprehend how it led to the loss of indigenous food systems and the cultural trauma experienced by indigenous communities.

What is the significance of the term 'Manifest Destiny' in the context of Sean Sherman's talk?

In the context of Sean Sherman's talk, 'Manifest Destiny' refers to the 19th-century belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent, often at the expense of indigenous peoples and their lands.

How did the U.S. government's policies contribute to the loss of indigenous food systems according to Sean Sherman?

The U.S. government's policies, such as the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Homestead Act of 1862, and the Dawes Act of 1887, contributed to the loss of indigenous food systems by forcibly relocating indigenous peoples, taking away their lands, and suppressing their cultural practices.

What role did the boarding school system play in the loss of indigenous knowledge according to Sean Sherman?

The boarding school system played a significant role in the loss of indigenous knowledge by forcibly removing children from their families and communities, suppressing their languages and cultural practices, and subjecting them to harsh conditions that stripped them of their traditional education.

What is the significance of the bison in Sean Sherman's discussion of indigenous foods?

The bison is significant in Sean Sherman's discussion because it was a primary food source for many indigenous peoples and was systematically hunted to near extinction by European settlers, which had a profound impact on indigenous food systems.

What does Sean Sherman suggest as an alternative to the current food system?

Sean Sherman suggests returning to indigenous food systems that are based on local, seasonal, and sustainable practices. He advocates for a system that includes wild foods, permaculture, native agriculture, and a deep understanding of local plant and animal life.

How does Sean Sherman view the potential of indigenous foods in contemporary society?

Sean Sherman views indigenous foods as having the potential to revolutionize contemporary society by offering a healthier, more diverse, and sustainable alternative to the current food system. He believes that indigenous foods can also help heal historical traumas and promote cultural revitalization.

What is the role of education in Sean Sherman's vision for indigenous foods?

In Sean Sherman's vision, education plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting indigenous foods. He emphasizes the importance of teaching the next generation about indigenous agriculture, plant knowledge, and the cultural significance of traditional foods.