Native American cultural, culinary adventure series available on DVD

 On a South Dakota ranch near the Black Hills, Geraldine Goes In Center (left) and SEASONED WITH SPIRIT host Loretta Oden make Wasna, a Lakota trail food made from dried buffalo meat, chokecherries, and kidney fat. This traditional food was used to sustain the tribe on hunts and on the trail. (Photo by Allan Moss)

To truly explore Native American traditions and culture, one must first start with the food. SEASONED WITH SPIRIT is a 5-part PBS series that offers viewers a culinary celebration of America’s bounty combining Native American history and culture with delicious, healthy recipes inspired by indigenous foods. Much more than simply a cooking series, each 30-minute episode of SEASONED WITH SPIRIT is a visually stunning, cultural adventure across the American landscape where viewers meet Native American peoples, see their breathtaking environs, learn their history and traditions, and, best of all, taste their cuisine. Plus, the entire series features a stirring musical score featuring today’s top Native American artists.

Loretta Barrett Oden, a renowned Native American chef, food historian and lecturer, and proud woman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, hosts the series. With her infectious humor and unstoppable enthusiasm, Loretta travels around the country to immerse herself in the lives and traditions of numerous Native American tribes. She blends her passion for delectable food and engaging storytelling to create a fascinating series for viewers of all backgrounds.

From simple comfort foods such as Sassafras Shrimp Gumbo, to more exotic dishes as such as Grilled Buffalo Tenderloin topped with Chokecherry Au Jus, SEASONED WITH SPIRIT presents a culinary palette for every taste, and a taste for every palate.

Beyond food, fun and history, the series also has a greater purpose. Over the past thirty years, Native American peoples have seen an alarming rise in obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Some tribes, such as the Tohono O’odham in Arizona, have seen 70% of their population develop the disease. Tribal people, like many of the nation’s citizens, have incorporated inexpensive processed foods into their diet to disastrous health consequences. SEASONED WITH SPIRIT attempts to confront the problem by encouraging Native Americans and the rest of our country to reconnect with the natural food of our heritage…those from the land. Buying and preparing food from local growers is always a healthier option and as this series demonstrates, more and more Native American tribes are recognizing the benefits of using traditional foods.

For more information visit www.nativetelecom.org/program–sws.html. To order Seasoned with Spirit, visit www.visionmaker.org