Native Roots

Restoring Traditional Food Systems

In Pine Ridge, South Dakota, an innovative way to use buffalo to supplement the diets of the most malnourished community members has been a success. Among dialysis patients clinical malnutrition rates may run from 25 percent to 50 percent of patients. In looking for a nutrition supplement that patients could tolerate and with a desirable nutrient profile, a traditional Lakota food, Wasna, seemed the perfect food. Wasna or Pemmican, was a food common to all migratory plains tribes as it was eaten on the go. Made from dried, pounded buffalo, buffalo fat and dried fruit; it supplies an ideal variety of nutrients. Patients receive four ounces twice monthly of Wasna and four ounces of Papa, or dried buffalo strips. Malnutrition rates dropped to only 20% with the introduction of the traditional food supplement, and the patients really look forward to getting it.

The best nutrition practices in Indian country always reflect back to the food pattern that originally supported the health and well being of the people. Restoring traditional subsistence foods and practices is essential if we are to regain our health, traditional economy and culture for generations to come.

For a full account of the survey results on Indigenous Peoples’ Traditional Foods and Cultures go to the website of the International Indian Treaty Council at www.treatycouncil.org and scroll down on the right hand column of reports. For more information about the Inter-tribal Bison Cooperative you can go to www.intertribalbison.com

Kibbe Conti, RD, CDE, LN, is a member of the Oglala, Lakota tribe from Pine Ridge, South Dakota. She has worked in Indian Country for ten years as a Nutritionist and Dietitian, with the Indian Health Service in Pine Ridge and with Urban Indian Health in Denver, Colorado. She operates her own nutrition consulting business, Northern Plains Nutrition Consulting, and can be reached at kibbe1@msn.com