Page 38 - Chippewas of Rama First Nation

Food

Less formal parts of First Nation culture, which
might be unfamiliar to a non-Indigenous
person, are the delicious foods traditionally
prepared in our community. These include
scone, which is fried or baked bread that is
similar to bannock. When we bake scone in
rounds, we sometimes call it moon bread
because it is shaped like a full moon. We also
use scone to make scone dogs, which are like
hot dogs but are wrapped in scone and fried.

Another traditional food is corn soup, which
Produce from our community farm and gardens
is made using a type of canned or frozen corn
called hominy. When our grandmothers were
young, they prepared the corn by boiling it
with hardwood ashes and rinsing it off. This
process took two or three days. Today, instead
of preparing the corn, we purchase it from
ethnic supermarkets or from ethnic sections
of supermarkets.

We also eat many of the same foods as other
Canadians. Barbecued steak and corn on the
cob are summer favourites. Turkey, mashed
potatoes, and cranberries are generally served
Berries are an important part of the Anishinaabeg diet.
at Thanksgiving and Christmas. As in many
other communities, parents on Rama First
Nation are forever reminding our children that
it’s not a good thing to eat too much junk food!

WORDS TO KNOW
hominy: dried corn with the hulls removed
scone (scawn): a type of fried or baked bread
Catalin Petolea/Shutterstock

Fried fish is a regular, and delicious, part of our diet.

36 Chippewas of Rama First Nation

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