Event Schedule - NMU Indigenous Perspectives Symposium

October 7th & October 14th  |  5:30 pm - 8:00 pm | $35 for Co-op owners, $50 for general admission

Cooking Class | Decolonizing Diet Project: Memories from a Transformative Research Project

From 2012-2013, Dr. April E. Lindala, professor of Native American Studies at Northern Michigan University, was on the project team and a volunteer research subject for the Decolonizing Diet Project. Dr. Lindala became notable for being one of the bakers of the group, making recipes for breads, pancakes, waffles, and cookies using native ingredients like pecans, pumpkin seeds, and maple syrup. This class gathering will combine DDP recipes with stories of the DDP experience, and a conversation of the significance between humans and the more-than-human relatives that serve as a source for human foods.

Hands-on class | Vegetarian friendly | Gluten-free friendly

October 7th Sign up here!

October 14th Sign up here! 

October 11th - Manoomin (Wild Rice) Camp - All Day Event 

Wednesday, October 22nd

Film: Seeds - with special guest, Director Kaniehtiio Horn.  

7pm @ Jamrich 1100

The NMU Center for Native American Studies is thrilled to host a free showing of *SEEDS* written and directed by, Kaniehtiio Horn (Mohawk) in Jamrich Hall 1100 on the NMU Campus on Wednesday, Oct 22 at 7 pm ET. 

SEEDS is a mix of humor and horror (just in time for Halloween). Horn may be best known for her portrayal as Deer Lady in the Harjo hit show, *Reservation Dogs*. A conversation with Kaniehtiio Horn will follow the viewing.

Ziggy, a wannabe influencer, just landed her dream gig with a seed company. But her big break is interrupted when she's called home to housesit. Now, she must protect her family's sacred garden from a mysterious intruder. Will she save the crops and her career, or will her dreams wilt away? 

Find out in the hilarious and heart-pounding new film, Seeds.

Intro of Symposium

• Welcoming of Guests & Speakers - Emcee April Lindala

• Land Acknowledgement - David Nyberg

• Opening of Event by Honoring Anishinaabe Lifeways - Paul Blondeau

• Honor Song by Teal Lake Singers

Opening Remarks

• Introduction of: 

  • NMU President Gavin Leach
  • Opening of IPS; IPS Chair Jelili Adebiyi
  • Welcoming Address - Cody Mayer

   

General Session: Stephanie Dodge 

Title: Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition
This presentation explores the work of the Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition (GLIFC) in supporting Indigenous food sovereignty through partnerships with Indigenous farmers and tribal communities. It highlights how the coalition helps distribute culturally relevant, locally grown foods—such as wild rice, corn, and traditional vegetables—to tribal elders across the Great Lakes region. Attendees will understand how GLIFC addresses health and nutrition by reinforcing cultural continuity and intergenerational care. The presentation outlines how the distribution process works, shares success stories from member tribes, and discusses ongoing challenges and opportunities for expansion though consistently emphasizing the role of Indigenous-led food systems in restoring health, culture, and community resilience.

General Session: Roger LaBine

Title: Manoomin: Do you know what it is?
This presentation offers a rich exploration of Anishinaabe cultural heritage through the lens of traditional narratives and foodways. It begins with the Anishinaabe creation story and the powerful migration journey that brought the people to the Great Lakes region—to the place where food grows on the water. These stories reflect historical movements and convey spiritual teachings, ecological knowledge, and a deep connection to land and water. A central focus will be on manoomin (wild rice), a sacred plant and foundational food source that has long nourished the Anishinaabe people—physically, culturally, and spiritually. The session will explore the ecological importance of wild rice, its role in community life and ceremony, and how its continued cultivation supports food sovereignty and cultural resilience.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual and cultural dimensions of Anishinaabe origin and migration stories, traditional ecological knowledge, nutritional significance of wild rice in Anishinaabe lifeways, and current efforts to protect and revitalize wild rice habitats in the face of environmental threats. This session invites participants to reflect on Indigenous relationships to place, food, and storytelling—and to consider how these elements continue to shape identity, resistance, and community well-being today.

Keynote Speaker, Jennifer Gauthier

Title: "Menominee Ways of Knowing: Connecting to Indigenous Systems" 

This presentation will share about Menominee systems and contemporary models, including the Menominee Theoretical Model of Sustainability framework, grounded in the Menominee Nation’s traditional ecological knowledge and cultural values. These ways of knowing hold history and knowledge that can be applied in contemporary contexts in frameworks that emphasize a holistic connection between people, land, and natural resources, guided by principles of respect, reciprocity, and long-term stewardship.

Central to the discussion is food sovereignty—the Menominee community’s right to govern their own food systems through practices like wild rice harvesting, hunting, and fishing. These sustainable practices support both environmental health and cultural identity.

Attendees will gain insight into how the Menominee Framework integrates ecological sustainability with cultural preservation, offering a unique model for resilient resource management and community well-being.

Lunch and Performance General Session

• Decolonizing Diet inspired luncheon provided - Must Register for this Event.
  Sage Rubbed Smoked Turkey (GF) 
  Bison and Ground Beef Meatloaf with Cranberry Compote (GF) 
  Seasonal Roasted Vegetables
  Cranberry Wild Rice (GF,V)  
  Garden Salad with Blueberry Maple Vinaigrette
  Assorted Pie (Pecan, Apple, Pumpkin, and Cherry)
  Sweet Water / Coffee / Tea

• 12:25 p.m.  Dance Performance by Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company led by Michelle Reed.  

   

General Session:  Richard Elm-Hill

Indigenous Imagination: Following Community Lead in Food Systems
This session will share a Native nonprofit perspective on food systems, rooted in the leadership and vision of Native communities. Through Indigenous imagination, which draws on memory, place, and ancestral knowledge, we’ll reflect on how communities practice our traditional foodways to create and sustain food sovereignty. I will also share our approach to advocating for philanthropy that directs more resources to Native communities. Along the way, stories will highlight how culture, relationships, language, and practice come together to shape stronger food systems and open doors for Native voices.

1 p.m. - 

3 p.m.

Dancing on Wild Rice demonstration hosted by Roger LaBine and Center for Native American Studies - High Impact Practice & Experience 

Mini-Wild Rice Camp: Traditional Harvesting Experience

Join us in a mini-wild rice camp on the lawn behind the Northern Center for a hands-on cultural experience guided by Roger LaBine. Participants will actively engage in traditional Anishinaabe wild rice processing methods—starting with the rhythmic dance of “popping” the rice to crack open the husks, followed by learning the time-honored technique of winnowing to separate the grain from the chaff.

This immersive, interactive event invites everyone to connect with Anishinaabe heritage, gain a deeper understanding of wild rice’s cultural significance, and experience the enduring traditions that sustain this sacred food.

All are welcome—no prior experience necessary!  We invite all attendees and presenters that are able to participate in this important activity as a way to demonstrate reciprocity. 

General Session: Dana Young, Kevin Harris II, Nickole Keith

Title: Food Sovereignty on the Homelands of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi

This presentation highlights the food sovereignty initiatives led by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. It will explore how the tribe is reclaiming control over their food systems through sustainable agriculture, traditional food practices, and community-based programs that promote health, cultural resilience, and environmental stewardship. Attendees will learn about the tribe’s efforts to strengthen food independence and honor their ancestral connections to the land.

General Session: Frank Zomer

We all live together in a good way with Manoomin: Stewardship Guide
This presentation will discuss the background of the MWRI, current goals, and the recently released publication. The Michigan Wild Rice Initiative (MWRI) stems from a collective understanding among State and Tribal governments that the protection and restoration of manoomin (wild rice) should be elevated in importance. The MWRI began in 2017 and includes representatives from all 12 federally recognized Tribes as well as multiple State departments. Through its subcommittees, MWRI representatives are working on tasks such as establishing State protections and regulations for manoomin, increasing educational opportunities, and maintaining a suite of “best practices” for agencies and individuals working with and around manoomin.

4 p.m.

General Session:  Jason Corwin, Erin Johnston, Chris Shawa - Moderated by Justin Schapp

Panel Discussion: Indigenous Land-Based Learning and Food Sovereignty

This panel begins with an introduction to Indigenous land-based learning, highlighting its role in education, cultural knowledge, and environmental stewardship. Followed by Keweenaw Bay Indian Community's (KBIC) wildlife biologist providing insights into their food sovereignty programs focused on Indigenous ecosystem restoration. The session concludes with student perspectives on learning through a land-based model, offering reflections on personal growth, connection to place, and the impact of Indigenous knowledge in education.

A Culinary Experience with Anishinaabe Chef Charles Catchpole

LOCATION - Marquette Food Co-op  

Requires a $60 Ticket Purchased through Marquette Food Co-op.  SOLD OUT

https://events.humanitix.com/an-indigenous-culinary-perspective-a-tasting-menu-with-chef-charles-catchpole

Chef. Farmer. Teacher. Anishinaabe chef and entrepreneur Charles Catchpole’s
experience in the food system is truly farm to fork. A member of Couchiching First
Nation, Charles’ business is based out of Toronto. He runs a catering company that
specializes in Indigenous foods and operates CharGer Foods, a line of unique hot
sauces and salad dressings. His experience with food goes beyond the kitchen, as he
operates an urban micro farm named Gitigaanes, Ojibway for little farm.
In this class, our chef will walk participants through a tasting menu of eight different
dishes, sharing the history of food injustices in Indigenous communities, stories that
demonstrate the importance of food sovereignty, and his perspective on his own role in
the Indigenous food system as a farmer and chef.
The class will include a short-on cooking lesson. While anyone is welcome to attend
and learn, the menu includes many types of foods and some may not be suitable for
those with food allergies or restrictions.

Charger Foods is owned by Charles Catchpole, an Anishinaabe Chef and
Entrepreneur, and a member of Couchiching First Nation. Charles is a trained
Chef who schooled at Loyalist & George Brown Colleges. He owns and operates
CharGer Foods, selling a line of unique hot sauces and salad dressings as well as
running a catering company specializing in Indigenous cuisine. He is also
dedicated to Indigenous Food Sovereignty initiatives, including running his own
microfarm, Gitigaanes.