Decolonizing Diet Project Blog: Indigenous Foods Cook-Off at NMU

The Decolonizing Diet Project (DDP) was a pilot study of the relationship between humans and Indigenous foods of the Great Lakes Region. Dr. Martin Reinhardt, associate professor of Native American Studies served as the principal investigator and a research subject for the DDP.

The planning phase of the project ran from 2010 to 2012. The implementation phase ran from March 25, 2012 to March 24, 2013. The analysis and reporting phase was from March 25, 2013 to Summer of 2014.

Dr. Reinhardt authored a chapter in the following publication about the outcomes of the DDP:

Reinhardt, M. (2015). “Spirit food: A multidimensional overview of the Decolonizing Diet Project”. Indigenous Innovation: Universalities and Peculiarities, eds., E. Sumida Huaman and B. Sriraman. Rotterdam: Sense.

Reinhardt co-authored a DDP Cookbook with fellow research subjects Leora Lancaster and April Lindala:

Reinhardt, M., Lancaster, L., and Lindala, A. (2016). Decolonizing Diet Project Cookbook. Featuring Indigenous food recipes from the Great Lakes Region. Marquette, MI: Northern Michigan University, Center for Native American Studies. Reinhardt is currently working on another chapter for an upcoming publication which will feature his and his wife's (Tina Moses) reflections about the DDP.

A DDP Three Year Follow-Up Study was recently conducted by K. Nim Reinhardt, a senior nursing student and Indian Health Services Scholar/McNair Scholar at NMU (and yes, she is Dr. Reinhardt's older daughter too). Findings from this study may be submitted for publication soon also.

The DDP continues to influence many other projects and has a wide following on Facebook and in communities around the world. Dr. Reinhardt continues to present on the project and will be looking at future projects related to the outcomes of the DDP.

We would like to thank all of those who have assisted with the DDP over the years and would be more than happy to answer any questions about the DDP via email at: mreinhar@nmu.edu

Friday, March 1, 2013

Indigenous Foods Cook-Off at NMU

MARQUETTE, Mich.—An Indigenous Foods Cook-Off will be held on Saturday, March 16, at Northern Michigan University’s Jacobetti Complex. Teams will prepare an entrée, side dish and dessert from a mystery basket of Indigenous food ingredients. The event is hosted by the NMU Center for Native American Studies and the hospitality management program. Participants in the Decolonizing Diet Project—a year-long study of the relationship between humans and foods of the Great Lakes Region—will team up with staff, students and community members for the competition.

Food preparation will begin at 1 p.m. in the Jacobetti Complex kitchen. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. in Chez Nous restaurant. Guest judges will include chefs Mark Bzdok and Chris Kibit, along with retired NMU professor Mohey Mowafy. The judging criteria will include points for taste, presentation and creativity. Prizes will be awarded in two categories: audience choice and judges’ choice.

Limited audience seating is available for dinner on a first come, first serve basis by calling 906-227-1397. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance at the Center for Native American Studies in Whitman Hall. Audience members should arrive by 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact Martin Reinhardt at mreinhar@nmu.edu or call (906) 227-1397.