Traditional Foods Resource Guide

This Traditional Foods Resource Guide was made possible through SEARHC Health Promotion grant funds from the National Native Network, Administration for Native Americans, and other SEARHC funds. It is offered as a resource to support increased interest and knowledge of Traditional Foods to support the health, well-being, and prosperity of Alaska Native and American Indian People.

Native people have held the knowledge and accessed the benefits of traditional foods for centuries. Their daily harvesting activities provided highly nutritious, affordable food and contributed to healthy lifestyles. Traditional Native cultures believe that this food is not only for nutrition but it is a way of life.

There are many amazing resources on Native Traditional Foods within the United States. Included in the resource guide is an introduction to just a few traditional and local foods resource tools available in four Indian Health Service areas of the United States: Alaska, California, Great Plains, and Portland. We narrowed our focus to information in books, posters, and websites.

Tammi Meissner worked to lead the development the Traditional Foods Resource Guide with SEARHC, a partner agency for the National Native Network.

Tammi Meissner is the Health Educator II and works with Tobacco Policy with the SouthEast Alaska Rural Health Consortium.

Tammi is Tlingit from Wrangell, Alaska. Tammi was raised and continues to hunt, harvest, and eat traditional foods. Prior to her current position, she was the Wrangell SEARHC Traditional Foods Coordinator. She organized and taught how to harvest and prepare traditional foods in Alaska. She continues to learn and gain knowledge through individuals, elders, and higher education systems.

Education includes:

-1998 Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education, University of Alaska SouthEast - Juneau, Alaska

-2011 Rural Nutrition Certificate - University of Alaska Fairbanks

-Currently hold the Alaska Teaching Certificate, current through the State of Alaska

Tammi would like to hear your feedback and questions on the Traditional Foods Resource Guide. Feel free to email her at meissnert@searhc.org

PART 1 of "A Traditional Food Book - Recipes from the Rez"

Lorelei DeCora, RN, BSN, of the Winnebago Tribal Health Program and the Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country Project shared with us her recipe book, "A Traditional Food Book - Recipes from the Rez," written in 2001.

Taking too long?

Reload document

Open in new tab

Download [5.59 MB]

DOWNLOAD A Traditional Food Book - Recipes from the Rez Part 1

PART 2 of "A Traditional Food Book - Recipes from the Rez"

Taking too long?

Reload document

Open in new tab

Download [6.48 MB]

DOWNLOAD A Traditional Food Book - Recipes from the Rez Part 2

Mino Wiisinidaa! Let's Eat Good! Cookbook

This 200-page cookbook plus DVD includes recipes featuring traditional Anishinaabe food which support a healthy lifestyle; harvesting references and resources, as well as kitchen safety and cross-contamination tips. A culmination of the three-year project, Mino Wiisinidaa, is the result of numerous interviews with tribal community members and elders for information on favorite recipes as well as gathering and processing tips. Color photos as well as nutritional information enhance the cookbook. The cookbook is available for sale for $14.00 from Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission HERE.

TRADITIONAL FOODS RESOURCE GUIDE