WHAT DID LAKOTA PEOPLE EAT? The Lakota people relied highly on the food provided by the prairies in the mid-western states. Before colonization, the Lakota people consumed a low-fat high protein diet. While camping the Lakota people ate wahonpi (soup), which contained meat. Usually, the meats used in wahonpi were antelope, bear, rabbit, deer, and most popular Tatanka (Buffalo). The vegetables that were used in wahonpi were wild potatoes and timpsila (turnips). They also made wasna, a dried meat and berry mixture that can last up to three years. Because of the way wasna was prepared it was easily portable for warriors, hunters, and scouts to take and consume anywhere. They also prepared Wojapi (berry pudding), which was made with dried chokecherries, wild plums, and dried timpsila. Today’s versions of these dishes contain more sugars, fats, and starches. WHAT DO THE LAKOTA PEOPLE EAT TODAY? The diet of most Native Americans today is dramatically different from the days of hunting and gathering. Since the Lakota, along with many other native peoples, fats, sugars, and starches were introduced to them through commodities. Commodities are government food rations that are high in salt, fat, and preservatives. We must remember that these substances are new to the indigenous people. The effects from consuming these fats, starches and sugars have caused many health problems for the sovereign inhabitants. Heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes are the number one health concerns on reservations today.
CAN WE LEARN FROM OTHER CULTURES? The Thai society has always intrigued me when it came to cuisine. A mother of a good friend of mine always told me she benefits from the ingredients in her Thai dishes. She claims that when she feels nauseous, a bowl of her ginger soup helps ease the queasiness. The dishes I personally tried did not have a lot grease or sugar in them. I am sure all cultures have the same amount of sugars and fats, but it is nice to try new things. A Japanese friend of mine claims that after a greasy meal it is common to drink hot tea after to break down the grease while digesting. While I am not saying all this friendly advice is factual it is food to talk about food with friends. My auntie Linda Agular who is an elder spoke of her grandparent’s health when she was little. I asked her how people got from one place to another and she said this, “my grandparents were always healthy, they walked everywhere, sometimes ten miles just to get into Kyle. They never over indulged in sweets or overate.” She then goes on to laugh and say, “maybe because they couldn’t afford all those things and people never sat around like they do today.” It is interesting to see how many factors that come into play when it comes to dietary health.
About the author Amberose currently resides on the northside of Rapid City, SD. Ms. Montileaux became concerned after seeing so many of her Lakota people diagnosed with diabetes. It was this interest that inspired this blog. Follow Amber on Twitter. For more info checkout her website.