An evening of traditional foods, shared memories, and fresh ideas marks the beginning of Honoring Our Lakota Foodways.
On November 11, the Allen Youth Center came alive with the warmth of good food, meaningful conversation, and something even more special: generations coming together to imagine what they could grow, learn, and create as a community.
The evening marked the first gathering of Honoring Our Lakota Foodways: A Gathering of Generations, a new program dedicated to strengthening connections between youth, elders, and the traditional foodways that have nourished Lakota families for generations.
And if our first gathering taught us anything, it's that some of the best ideas come from simply sitting down, sharing a meal, and listening to one another.
A Program Shaped by the People It Serves
Rather than arriving with every detail already decided, we invited community members to help us build this program together.
Families, elders, teenagers, and young children gathered to learn about the opportunities ahead. We shared our vision for the coming year, from planting and tending a community garden to harvesting, preparing, and preserving food. But most importantly, we asked everyone a simple question:
What would YOU like to grow, learn, and share?
From an Elder's Memories to a Child's Big Idea
Over cups of coffee, we sat with elders and listened to stories about their experiences growing food.
One elder fondly remembered how much he loved planting and eating onions when he was growing up. The younger children, however, were not quite as enthusiastic about that particular vegetable! Their reactions brought plenty of laughter to the room.
Strawberries, on the other hand, were a clear favorite among the kids. So, thanks to their enthusiastic feedback, we already know one thing about our garden next year: we're going to need a LOT of strawberries!
Then came an idea we absolutely loved.
A young girl named Ariella shared that she wanted to grow cucumbers and learn how to turn them into pickles.
And just like that, a new activity was born!
What began as one child's suggestion will now become part of our plans for the coming year. It's a small but beautiful example of exactly what we hope this program will accomplish: giving young people a voice, encouraging their curiosity, and helping them discover the joy of growing and preparing their own food.
More Than Just a Meal
Of course, no gathering about foodways would be complete without sharing a delicious meal.
Our kitchen was busy preparing buffalo stew, fresh frybread, wojapi, and homemade oatmeal cookies for everyone to enjoy.
But the food was about more than filling plates.
It brought people together around the same table. It gave elders an opportunity to share memories, children a chance to ask questions, and families a space to connect.
These are the moments we hope to nurture throughout the coming year. Moments when knowledge is shared naturally, when young people discover something new, and when traditions and community connections are strengthened through everyday experiences.
What's Next for Honoring Our Lakota Foodways?
Over the next several weeks, our team will carefully review the questionnaires, suggestions, and conversations from our first gathering.
Rather than simply deciding what the community should learn, we want to build a program around what our community is genuinely excited to explore.
Our next gathering will take place on Wednesday, December 9, at 5:00 PM at the Allen Youth Center, where we'll share what we've learned from everyone's feedback and discuss our plans for the year ahead.
There is so much to look forward to, from getting our hands in the soil to watching the first seedlings grow, learning from our elders, and eventually gathering around the table to enjoy food we've grown together.
Growing More Than a Garden
As the evening came to a close, we were reminded that the true heart of this program isn't simply about what we plant in the ground.
It's about the connections we cultivate along the way.
It's an elder sharing a childhood memory about onions. It's a group of kids getting excited about strawberries. It's a little girl dreaming about making her own pickles.
And it's a community coming together to make those ideas possible.
Because when we give our children the opportunity to learn from their elders, grow their own food, and have a voice in their community, we're planting seeds that can nourish generations to come.
We are deeply grateful to every family, elder, teenager, and child who joined us for our first gathering. Your stories, ideas, and enthusiasm are already shaping what this program will become.
And we're only just getting started.
Honoring Our Lakota Foodways: A Gathering of Generations is an initiative of One Spirit at the Allen Youth Center, supported by a grant from Newman's Own Foundation.
