The Annual Conference on Native American Nutrition is excited to announce "Celebrating Indigenous Women Chefs". This first-of-its-kind webinar series highlights the culinary expertise of Indigenous women through seven LIVE cooking demonstrations. Join us each month as the featured guest chefs share their skills, knowledge, wisdom, and recipes.
Hillel Echo-Hawk (Pawnee and Athabaskan) was born and raised in the interior of Alaska, around the Athabaskan village of Mentasta-home to the matriarchal chief and subsistence rights activist, Katie John. Watching John and other Indigenous Peoples fight for food sovereignty, as well as seeing her mother strive to make healthy, home-cooked meals for her and her six siblings has given Hillel a unique and important perspective on diet and wellness. Hillel has a passion for local, ethically sourced, and sustainable foods, all through an Indigenous lens and perspective. Echo-Hawk is dedicated to the food sovereignty of Native peoples and is committed to empowering all Indigenous Peoples by increasing knowledge of an access to traditional diets and foods. Hillel believes that food should feed not only the body, but the spirit and midshipmen's of the community. After receiving her Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts from Seattle Central College, Echo-Hawk has been working as a cook in some of Seattle's most innovative and popular restaurants for several years. She has also worked as a private chef, catering various events from the local Native non-profits and Native community events with pre-colonial, Indigenous meals. Hillel is a sister, aunt, daughter, and active member of her community.
April 2021 featured Chef Hillel Echo-Hawk will provide a culinary demonstration. Guest Chef Kim Tilsen-Brave Heart (Oglala Lakota) will join Hillel in a conversation on cuisine and culture.