5 Must Follow Indigenous Food Creators
A culinary renaissance is underway, led by a vibrant generation of Indigenous chefs, authors, and content creators. They are reaching into the past to bring ancestral ingredients and traditional cooking methods to the modern table, using platforms from fine-dining restaurants to viral TikTok videos. This movement is about more than just delicious food; it's a powerful act of cultural reclamation, food sovereignty, and storytelling. By decolonizing their diets and sharing their knowledge, these creators are reintroducing North America to its original flavors and fostering a deeper connection to the land.
The Fancy Navajo (@thefancynavajo)
Who she is: Alana Yazzie is a Diné (Navajo) lifestyle and food blogger who is an absolute must-follow. Her whole brand is built around sharing her life as a contemporary Navajo woman.
What you'll find: Beautifully shot, accessible recipes that incorporate traditional ingredients in modern ways. Think blue corn cupcakes, sumac berry smoothies, and fun takes on Navajo-style tacos. She recently released her cookbook, "The Modern Navajo Kitchen," making her a leading voice in this space.
Chef Sean Sherman (@chefseansherman)
Who he is: A James Beard Award-winning chef and founder of The Sioux Chef and the Minneapolis restaurant Owamni. He is a titan in the movement to revitalize and reclaim Native American foodways.
What you'll find: While his feed is more about his professional work than daily recipes, it's an essential follow to understand the broader Indigenous food movement. He posts about foraging, Indigenous agriculture, and the beautiful, decolonized dishes served at his restaurant.
Mariah Gladstone - Indigikitchen (@indigikitchen)
Who she is: Mariah Gladstone (Blackfeet, Cherokee) is the founder of Indigikitchen, an online cooking show dedicated to reintroducing Native foods.
What you'll find: Her content is incredibly educational and upbeat. She posts easy-to-follow video recipes that break down how to use pre-colonial ingredients in a modern kitchen. She makes Indigenous cooking feel accessible and fun for everyone.
Neftalí Durán (@neftaliduran)
Who he is: A chef, educator, and activist from Oaxaca, Mexico. He is a co-founder of the I-Collective, a group dedicated to promoting Indigenous food sovereignty.
What you'll find: A mix of delicious-looking food, community activism, and education. He often posts about the cultural significance of ingredients, traditional cooking methods, and the importance of food justice for Indigenous communities. His content is both beautiful and thought-provoking.
Chef Katsi'tsyo Tawnya Brant (@yawékon)
Who she is: A Mohawk chef from the Six Nations in Southern Ontario, Canada, and owner of the restaurant Yawékon ("it tastes good").
What you'll find: Mouth-watering photos of Haudenosaunee fusion cuisine. She posts pictures of her incredible dishes, like venison tacos on corn bread and strawberry sumac slushies, showcasing a vibrant and modern approach to her culinary heritage.