The University of Winnipeg celebrated the launch of a new English and Cree cookbook, reprinted from The Forgotten Traditional Foods of Fisher River, which shares recipes, teachings, and stories of traditional foods and its importance in improving the health and well-being of the community.
Elders, community members, health workers, and UWinnipeg alumni gathered on campus Tuesday, December 17, to share their cookbook journey and celebrate the publication’s launch. The cookbook includes 69 traditional recipes contributed by Fisher River Cree Nation Elders.
“I am very proud of our partnership between Fisher Fiver Cree Nation and I am proud of our faculty who have worked alongside traditional knowledge keepers in a good way,” said President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Annette Trimbee. “These recipes, stories, and quotes show us the importance of revitalizing language and culture to empower the community.”
The project is the result of many years of collaboration between the Fisher River Cree Nation, Fisher River Health Services, UWinnipeg associate professor Dr. Shailesh Shukla, and members of UWinnipeg’s Department of Indigenous Studies.
“It was so wonderful to come together with community members from FRCN and UWinnipeg to celebrate the launch of this cookbook,” said Brielle Beaudin-Reimer, a UWinnipeg alumna who worked on the project. “This cookbook is a symbol of the longstanding partnership between Fisher River Cree Nation and the University of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Studies department. It is also a symbol of the exemplary work that can be achieved through partnerships between Indigenous communities and universities.”
This celebration is one of many events that have taken place on campus this year in recognition of the United Nations declaring 2019 The Year of Indigenous Languages to help preserve Indigenous languages and safeguard the rights of those who speak them.
To purchase a cookbook, contact Crystal Moore in the Department of Indigenous Studies.
