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[Rediscovering Indigenous Wisdom: A Culinary Journey with Chef Sean Sherman]-[Re-release: How learning about indigenous foods can open up your worldview (with Sean Sherman)]

How to Be a Better Human · B2 · 2023-11-27

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📋 Summary

Reclaiming Indigenous Foodways: A Conversation with Sean Sherman

In this episode of How to Be a Better Human, host Chris Duffy sits down with Chef Sean Sherman to explore the profound intersection of food, culture, history, and social justice. Sherman, an Oglala Lakota chef and founder of the nonprofit NĀTIFS (North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems), challenges listeners to look beyond the "colonial ingredients" that dominate the modern Western diet and reconnect with the land through indigenous knowledge.

Food as a Portal to History and Justice

Sherman emphasizes that food is never "just food." It is inherently political. Throughout his career, he realized a "complete absence of indigenous foods" in the culinary landscape, noting that even he struggled to name more than a handful of truly Lakota recipes that were free from colonial staples like dairy, wheat flour, and cane sugar.

He argues that by controlling our food systems, we control our destinies. The modern reliance on processed, grocery-store food has estranged people from the land. Sherman advocates for a shift toward "hyper-regional, localized and culturally appropriate foods." By understanding the indigenous history of the land we stand on, we can address the historical erasure of Native American perspectives and build a more sustainable, nutritious future.

Challenging the "New" Trends

Interestingly, many concepts currently branded as trendy—such as "eating local," "plant-based diets," and "sustainability"—are actually ancient traditions practiced by indigenous communities for millennia. Sherman highlights that these communities possess deep knowledge regarding "seed saving, farming technique, wild food and ethnobotany."

He urges people to stop labeling native plants as "weeds"—a term he suggests simply means "you don't know what it is." Instead, he encourages individuals to engage with their immediate environment. Whether you live in an apartment with a window or a house with a yard, he suggests, "start in your backyard" and begin identifying edible plants. This practice transforms the landscape into a source of sustenance rather than just a lawn, which he famously calls "stupid."

The Role of Education and Stewardship

Sherman envisions a future where indigenous food restaurants are common in major cities, serving as hubs for community and education. His work at the Indigenous Food Lab is designed to support the next generation of food entrepreneurs by providing the infrastructure they need to succeed.

For non-indigenous listeners, Sherman offers a pathway to support food sovereignty:

  1. Seek out and support BIPOC and indigenous growers: Consciously search for producers who are working against the grain of non-diverse industries.
  2. Engage in lifelong learning: Be open to understanding diversity and the history of the land.
  3. Respect cultural boundaries: Avoid cultural appropriation by ensuring you are not using someone else's culture for profit or gain while ignoring the people behind the traditions.

A Living, Vibrant Culture

One of the most moving aspects of Sherman’s philosophy is his insistence that indigenous food is not a "historical project." It is "current and vibrant and alive." His recipes are a snapshot of the moment, reflecting the season and the local ecosystem. By moving away from the "Western diet" and embracing the diversity of indigenous knowledge, we can solve modern nutritional crises and foster a deeper, more empathetic connection to the world around us.

Ultimately, Sherman invites us to pull up a chair, grab a plate, and start listening. As he puts it, the most important work is done "collectively," and by becoming better stewards of the land and the history it holds, we can create a future that is more inclusive, healthy, and deeply rooted in the places we call home.

🎯Key Sentences

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I was afraid I was gonna make my whole house blow up.
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That's one of my favorite things in the world.
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It was a way to also have a personal connection
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I think it's a great first step
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I'm still just beginning
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📝Key Phrases

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have someone over
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piqued my curiosity
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less than a handful
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put me on a path to
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come to terms with
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📖 Transcript

Ted Audio Collective.
Hey everyone, How to Be a Better Human is still on our season break, but we wanted to share a special episode from the archive today.
We'll be back with all new episodes and a whole new season for you in January 2024.
Until then, enjoy. You're listening to How to Be a Better Human.
I'm your host, Chris Duffy.
I love to cook. I love to make a meal and have friends and family over and sit around a table, eating and talking and having a great time.

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