Coronavirus In Minnesota: Mpls. Chef Brian Yazzie Serving Indigenous Foods To Native Elders During Pandemic

Coronavirus: Latest News | Community Resources | COVID-19 Info | Download Our App | CBSN Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Community leaders says the COVID-19 pandemic is magnifying existing health disparities in the Native American population.

One group is using food to address that, nourishing bodies and souls.

For Chef Brian Yazzie, who only cooks with Indigenous ingredients, cooking is a chance to make a statement.

"I came up with the philosophy of cooking in two worlds, ancestral knowledge with modern techniques," Yazzie said.

READ MORE: Native Americans Put Digital Spin On Traditions Amid Pandemic

Cooking has also carved a path for Chef Yazzie to serve his community during the pandemic.

"I started looking at ways to contribute and to help the cause, especially within the Native community," Yazzie said.

For weeks, Chef Yazzie and a team at the Gatherings Cafe in south Minneapolis have been preparing dozens of carefully-curated meals five days a week that are delivered to Native elders around Minneapolis. The dishes use mostly Indigenous ingredients.

"I try to push to add more Indigenous ingredients to it, especially with the elders because food is medicine, and during this pandemic we need all types of ways, you know, to heal ourselves," Yazzie said.

Chef Brian Yazzie (credit: CBS)

Mary LaGarde, executive director of the Minneapolis American Indian Center, says support for Native elders is critical right now.

"It's been a challenging time, I think for everybody," LaGarde said. "The health disparities that our community faces are so great that we're really taking steps to help to prevent that so that, you know, our community is healthy."

The nourishment is needed, but the connection is just as important.

READ MORE: Minneapolis Firefighter Uses Canceled Family Vacation Funds To Help Elders In Need

"This is a way that we can not only provide a meal, but also check in and to make sure that, you know, our elders are doing well," LaGarde said.

It's a reminder that somebody cares.

"I'm also a servant to the community, so I will always find ways to help with food," Yazzie said.

The Minneapolis American Indian Center is funding this program with a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield. It is serving more than 100 meals five days a week, and plans to continue at least through May.

CONTACT US: Do you have a story about the COVID-19 pandemic to share with us? Please contact us here.

Read more
f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.