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Traditional Foods in Wisconsin

Monday, February 18, 2019

Through a grant provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) School Nutrition Team was able to partner with the three Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools in Wisconsin, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School, Menominee Tribal School, and the Oneida Nation School System, to create the American Indian Traditional Foods in USDA School Meals Program Toolkit.

The toolkit provides detailed information and visuals to support school meals programs interested in farm to school and traditional foods programming. Nutrition professionals and educators will find a wealth of information regarding how to meaningfully incorporate traditional foods through a variety of hands-on classroom and school menu options.

David O’Connor, DPI American Indian Studies Consultant, encourages broad use of traditional foods resources. “This toolkit was developed as a guide for students, educators, parents, families, and community members to learn about American Indian dietary traditions and cultures by incorporating these healthful recipes and resources into their food service programs and school curriculum,” he says. “Furthermore, this toolkit is one example of many resources available from DPI that support teaching and learning for students becoming college and career ready in our communities.”

In addition to the toolkit, the video, “American Indian Traditional Foods in School Meals” is available for educators and students to learn about, prepare, and taste traditional foods.

The grant also provided an opportunity for the DPI to create brief and engaging nutritional information videos about several traditional foods in Wisconsin. The videos provide broad overviews of some traditional foods in Wisconsin, their source, interesting facts, and beautiful imagery to build background knowledge and appreciation. The foods included are:

The toolkit and videos help educators and students examine specific aspects of American Indian history and culture while promoting student health and wellness. As National Nutrition Month approaches in March, the toolkit will be an asset in highlighting the importance of making good food choices in local contexts.

Ansley McLeod, DPI Nutrition Program Consultant emphasizes this point. “Our hope is that this toolkit and the nutrition education videos inspire students and school nutrition professionals to learn more about the traditional foods Wisconsin has to offer. Even though it is a Wisconsin toolkit, we believe the information can be used across the country in all schools. Traditional, native foods embody the tenacious spirit, culture, and community within American Indian nations. That is why this project, and others of its kind, are so important.”

For more information about American Indian Traditional Foods in Wisconsin, visit DPI’s Traditional Foods web page.

Further information and resources to support teaching and learning of Wisconsin’s American Indian history, culture, and tribal sovereignty are available through the DPI American Indian Studies Program web page and the Wisconsin First Nations Education website.