Turtle Island : Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America

Uncover the stories behind the foods that have linked the natural environments, traditions, and histories of Indigenous peoples across North America for millennia through more than 150 ancestral and modern recipes from three-time James Beard Award–winning Oglala Lakota chef Sean Sherman.

Growing up on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation, Oglala Lakota chef Sean Sherman understood that his people’s food was rich in flavor, heritage, and connection to the land. It was in the midst of a successful restaurant career mainly cooking European cuisines that he realized the lack of understanding about Native American foodways—a revelation that sent him on a journey to learn more about how Indigenous communities have preserved and evolved their cuisines through the centuries. Now a leading figure in the Indigenous food movement, he guides readers through the unique and diverse Native foodways of North America, sharing both traditional and modern recipes made with ingredients that have nourished Indigenous peoples physically, spiritually, and culturally for generations. Organized by region, this book delves into the rich culinary landscapes of Turtle Island—as many Indigenous cultures call this continent. Learn to eat with the land that surrounds you, focus on plant-forward dishes, and discover how to better feed yourself. These are truly delicious recipes to put today’s nutrition-packed Indigenous pantry on your table, including: Wild-Rice Crusted Walleye Cakes, Squash and Pepita Tartlets, Charred Rainbow Trout with Grilled Ramps, Sweet Potato Soup with Dried Venison and Chile Oil, Cedar Maple Baked Beans, Dried Venison and Corn Salad, and much more.

Alongside the recipes, you'll meet inspiring Indigenous chefs and community leaders who are contributing to the revival of Indigenous food systems. Turtle Island features rich narrative essays that spotlight the people producing, gathering, and cooking these foods today, including remarkable stories of ingenuity and adaptation that capture the resilience of tribal communities. Turtle Island exemplifies how Native foodways can teach us all how to connect with the natural world around us, to embrace our differences, and to strive for a world that centers humanity and respect.