Traditional Foods

Staples

100

This mineral was collected by following animals to sources near streams

What is Salt - it was harvested through marsh grasses and the grasses were added to dishes

200

To add a peppery flavour indigenous people would add this

What is Juniper- it’s easy to find in backyards and along edges of playing fields and parks

300

To add a lemony flavour to braised meats and vegetable, this plant was used

What is Staghorn Sumac  - it grows wild along roadside and in backyards . Don’t confuse it with poisonous varieties!

400

Prior to contact, chicken were not in the Americas.These eggs were used instead

What are Duck or Quail eggs - They are richer because the proportion of york to white is bigger

500

This type of oil was used for everyday cooking

What is Sunflower oil - fat rendered from Duck and Goose was used for pan frying and roasting

Wild Greens

100

This plant is sometimes seen as lucky and is the first green to appear in the spring

What is Clover - its tastiest when enjoyed early on. It gets bitter as the season goes on

200

This plant has pretty yellow flowers that we often mistake as weeds

What is Dandelion - lively and peppery, great in salads and pesto

300

This plant is commonly used today to make a yellow condiment

What is Mustard - Green can be added to salad and pesto. Seeds can be turned into homemade mustard

400

This plant leaves can be used in salads. Do not confuse it with the plant that makes a fruit that looks like bananas

What is Plantain Weed

500

This is one of the most nutritious greens on the planet - loaded with vitamins and minerals, protein and omega -3s

What is Purslane

Wild Game

100

This large land animal is found in prairies

What is Bison

200

This large land animal can stand on its hind legs and is found all over the americas

What is Bear

300

These small game animals are easy to raise and abundant in the wild but are not commonly found in most supermarkets

What is Rabbit - they are not easy to process on a commercial scale

400

This bird, is commonly found around fresh water and has several different breeds

What is Duck

500

This bird, slightly larger than an pigeon was commonly consumed near cranberry regions

Grouse

Teas

100

This tea - sometimes called swamp tea - is surprisingly close to English breakfast tea

What isLabrador Tea - evergreen foliage that resembles a rhododendron

200

This tree is sacred and is part of many ceremonies. It is used to purify home, in sweat-lodge ceremonies and as medicine.

What is Cedar

300

This tea is very refreshing especially when served chilled

What is wild mint tea 

400

This plant makes berries we enjoy but you can also use the leaves and cains to make tea

What is raspberry leaf tea

500

This mushroom grows on birch trees and has a mild coffee with chocolate flavour

What is chaga 

Spirit Plate

100

To honour Spring, the season that breaks through the iron clasp of monotonous winter this is celebrated

What is the Dinner of the Flower Moon

200

This festival happens in July to celebrate the iconic and important food through the great Plains region - the chokecherries

What is the Dinner of the Chokecherry Moon 

300

In the late summer, all across the great lakes region families set up camp to harvest this popular grain, for this feast

What is the Feast of the Wild Rice Moon

400

This feast is where elder share stories in late fall

What is the Dinner of the Great Spirit Moon

500

This feast is done to celebrate Indigenous Mixteco (Mexican) flavours

What is the Feast of the Sorcerer and the Eagle