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Celebrating Native American Culinary and Cultural Traditions

   By Joshua Arce

Native Chefs Reclaiming Tribal Comfort Food

Nothing is more comforting than a home-cooked meal.

The aroma, the taste and even the texture of familiar food can immediately transport someone to another time and another place. As in all cultures, food plays a critical role in connecting people to their roots. As an organization dedicated to supporting Native communities’ right to self-determination, PWNA works with tribes to develop long-term solutions tailored to their specific needs – and this includes a taste of our past.

Native American culture is rooted in beautiful – and delicious – traditions that have deep connections to the land and reflect diverse ways of life that continue today. Today, these traditions continue to play a vital role in preserving a vibrant tapestry of Native American heritage. PWNA actively supports tribal heritage through educational demonstrations that share how to prepare and cook these ancestral foods.

Tribal Comfort Food

Today, a new generation of Native chefs and entrepreneurs are reclaiming and revitalizing traditional food systems. The food sovereignty movement is about more than cuisine. It’s a form of healing, resistance, and pride. Native American cuisine is among the most vast and diverse, yet we rarely shine a spotlight on these foods. For those looking to expand their palate, I encourage you to try traditional Native foods, such as:

  • Wasna or Pemmican – Think jerky. This dish is a combination of locally sourced wild game, including venison, bison, or elk mixed with local vegetation, which is then cured and turned into a high protein snack.
  • Three Sister Stew – Beans, squash, and corn are known as the Three Sisters because they thrive when planted together. The corn stalks provide natural support for the beans to climb. The squash spreads out and protects the ground. Beans provide nitrogen to regenerate the soil for future crops. Together with a few other ingredients, these three make a delicious, hearty stew or succotash popular among American Indians.
  • Hopi Piki Bread – Piki dough comes from a mixture of finely ground blue cornmeal, juniper ash (a nutritious and calcium-rich component), and water before being spread thinly over a cooking stone and briefly grilled. This is a very labor-intensive bread typically seen in Native celebrations or weddings, but it’s well worth it.

As we honor Native culture, it’s important to do so with authenticity and care. For example, powwows are a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and give back to these communities. These vibrant celebrations are an opportunity for everyone to reflect on traditions, build community and showcase Indigenous identity. Here are some of our favorite traditions that you can participate in, too:

  • Southwest Native Community Powwow – A blend of dance, music and community celebration across Tribal traditions taking place September 12-13 in Butte, Montana.
  • Prescott Powwow – 18th annual social gathering open to the public that is happening from September 19-21, Prescott, Arizona.
  • Phoenix Indian Center Gourd Dance & Social Powwow – A free one-day event featuring traditional gourd dancing and a vendor market on October 11.
  • Black Hills Powwow – A three-day cultural celebration featuring dance, music, art, and community gathering, taking place October 10-12 in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Our work sharing the richness of Native cultures, honoring Native history, traditions and food is a key tenet of our mission to serve immediate needs and support long-term solutions. We support Native communities through capacity building, including emergency preparedness, educational support, animal welfare, leadership development, health support, and food and water security.