What’s the connection between Indigenous foods and preserving cultural identity? How can Indigenous foods help to maintain a healthy body? Before exploring these questions, it’s important to understand the history of both of these concepts, including the challenges Indigenous people have faced in their history and the importance of food in maintaining physical health. This piece will examine how the two are linked, using examples from around the world and recent events here in Canada.

Things I learnt from my dad

I grew up eating a lot of traditional Indigenous foods. My dad always told me that these foods were not only nutritious, but they were also a big part of our culture. I didn’t really understand what he meant until I got older. Now, I realize that by eating Indigenous foods, we are preserving our culture and reconnecting with our ancestors. Not to mention, these foods are incredibly healthy for us! Here are some of the things I learnt from my dad about Indigenous foods

 The foods we eat have a powerful influence on our health. Just like any other culture, traditional Indigenous foods often include both plants and animals that provide an array of nutrients. In many parts of Canada, these foods are becoming increasingly rare due to changing food trends. Many people—both Indigenous and non-Indigenous—are choosing not to eat these cultural staples because they’re unfamiliar with them or because they’ve been brainwashed into thinking they aren’t properly prepared. This makes it more difficult for us to pass down our traditions to future generations, which is why it’s so important for us to educate ourselves about our own cultures and take steps to preserve them in any way we can!

What indigenous foods are (and aren’t)

There are many misconceptions about what indigenous foods are. Some people believe that they are only fruits and vegetables, when in reality, they encompass a wide variety of food groups. Indigenous foods are those that have been traditionally grown and consumed by a certain culture or group of people. They are often nutrient-rich and have a long history of being used for medicinal purposes.

 Not all indigenous foods are created equal. For example, some people may not consider chocolate to be a traditional food of an indigenous culture because they aren’t aware that it was consumed by certain groups in ancient times. The same can be said for many new world foods—like potatoes, tomatoes, corn and beans—which were also traditionally consumed by indigenous cultures in South America before being introduced to other countries through colonialism. Regardless of what you choose to eat or believe about your culture’s cuisine, it is important to remember that these foods have been closely linked with various cultural practices—such as religious ceremonies—for hundreds if not thousands of years.

Ways you can start embracing indigenous foods

1. Try new recipes that feature indigenous ingredients.
2. Purchase indigenous foods from local markets or online retailers.
3. Educate yourself on the health benefits of indigenous foods.
4. Incorporate indigenous foods into your daily diet.
5. Support businesses that sell indigenous foods.
6. Share your knowledge about indigenous foods with others.
7. Connect with others who are interested in embracing indigenous foods.

Changing the future by changing your diet

For many years, the Western diet has been embraced by people all over the world. But as we’ve seen, this diet is not sustainable and has led to a number of health problems. The good news is that there is an alternative: indigenous foods.

 Indigenous foods are traditional diets that have existed for thousands of years. The good news is that these diets have a lot to offer in terms of preserving culture and restoring health. For example, a diet based on indigenous foods can help you reduce your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer’s disease and even certain types of cancer. It can also help strengthen your immune system to fight off infectious diseases like influenza or common viruses.

Final thoughts

There are many reasons to embrace indigenous foods. For one, they can help preserve culture. They can also be incredibly healthy, as they are often packed with nutrients that our bodies need. Additionally, eating indigenous foods can help support local economies. And finally, consuming indigenous foods can help connect us to the land and our ancestors.

 Although it may not seem like a big deal to choose pizza or ramen noodles over tortillas or potatoes, it can actually make a difference. By making small changes in our diets, we can help preserve our cultures while also improving our own health. We can also support local economies by consuming indigenous foods rather than food products shipped in from other areas. And finally, consuming indigenous foods allows us to connect with nature and learn more about our ancestors’ culture.

When you consider all of these benefits combined, it makes sense to incorporate more indigenous foods into your diet!