First Foods Celebration scheduled for June 29

If you go

First Foods Celebration

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 29

Where: achaf-hammi (Tribal plankhouse) adjacent to Uyxat Powwow Grounds, 9600 Hebo Road

More information: Francene Ambrose at 503-879-3663 or fambrose@marionpolkfoodshare.org

By Danielle Frost

Smoke Signals staff writer

The annual First Foods Celebration is about providing an array of different items —once considered staples of the Tribal diet — and presenting them in a way that encourages consumption.

While a youth may turn up their nose at eating elk, when it is put in chili or made into a burger it is much more likely to receive a positive response. Not a fan of baked salmon? Salmon cakes may do the trick.

“The celebration of First Foods builds a connection between the community and our traditional foods and medicines,” Tribal member and Culture Committee Chair Francene Ambrose says.

The idea is to bridge the gap between the grocery store and where the food comes from, and tell youth the story behind the food and why it is important to continue traditions.

Ambrose is in her third year chairing the First Foods event, which will be held at achaf-hammi, the Tribe’s plankhouse, on Saturday, June 29. The 2019 celebration of Tribal foods from pre-contact to post-Reservation will include bear, deer, elk, lamprey, fruits, roots, yampa and Indian teas, as well as a medicine table by Tribal and Culture Committee member Sara Ross.

“This event helps build up our community, including nonTribal members who have a love of these foods,” Ambrose says. “We want to be stewards of the land and have these foods for a long time to come.”

Festivities will begin at 11 a.m. with a brief welcome ceremony, followed by information about the various First Foods. Lunch will be served at noon. Following lunch, attendees will head to the plankhouse for a brief informational talk about medicinal foods and teas.

In an effort to increase involvement, the event also will include an activity at Tyee Prairie Nature Preserve, located to the south of the Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority building. Restoration of the site has been an ongoing project between the Tribe's Natural Resources and Cultural Resources departments and the nonprofit Institute for Applied Ecology. The Tribe has used the Tyee site as a Nelson's checkermallow plant reserve since the 1990s. Nelson's checkermallow is a plant on the threatened species list that can be found throughout Grand Ronde.

“We will talk about the connection between the Youth Education garden, Native Plant Propagation Program and what we are doing at Tyee,” Ambrose says.

Ambrose has been part of the First Foods Celebration for the past four years. She became involved after becoming Grand Ronde Food Bank coordinator.

With two years of organizing the celebration to her credit, Ambrose says she is looking forward to continued learning among Tribal members and the community surrounding First Foods.

“Our ancestors knew that our foods did wonderful things for our bodies long before science proved it,” she says. “How we eat affects future generations.”

Ambrose says that events featuring food and fun are easy ways to connect people in a nonintimidating environment.

“These are all family-friendly events,” she says. “Everyone is welcome to come and help us cook and with the whole process. They are also encouraged to bring a First Foods dish or one that is special to their family.”

Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier and self-proclaimed “food dude” says that the First Foods Celebration is important because many Tribal people have health issues related to eating a Western diet, something that is far removed from traditional foods.

“If there is any favorite food of mine it would have to be the acorn cobbler from last year, although the venison sausage was also quite good,” he says.

Mercier’s favorite part of the celebration is that the foods vary from year to year.

“Some standbys exist, like deer meat, but I’ve seen quail, nettle soup, rabbit and all sorts of foods,” he says. “Another favorite aspect is that it is open to the public and the crowd seems to grow every year. I like that the floor is yielded for those who want to speak.”

Ambrose says her favorite part of First Foods is the sense of community it bolsters.

“There is a strong passion and love of these foods,” she says. “Many people didn’t have that opportunity growing up. The forefront of my family is you earn your place in the community. You had people who taught you how to hunt and gather, and it gives you a sense of independence early on. I want people who attend this event to have a good time, and a new appreciation for these foods and medicines.”

Her current favorite First Food is chokecherries, named so because of their bitter aftertaste.

“They don’t get a lot of love because of the bitter flavors, but my great-grandma had us eat chokecherries after a fatty meal and they cleanse the palate,” Ambrose says. “It serves a purpose and gets rid of the greasy taste.”

Those who are interested in attending, bringing food or volunteering at the First Foods Celebration are asked to contact Ambrose, who will connect them with the appropriate person.

“Every year, I hope people will bring more items to share as we educate more people about First Foods,” she says. “We’re also hoping to create a recipe book in the future based on First Foods favorites.”