Native American Cooks in Kansas Prepare Nutritional Meals To Help Combat Chronic Diseases

With diabetes prevalent among Native Americans, AARP Kansas set out to not only call attention to the problem, but also to do something about it. That’s why AARP Kansas is working with the American Association of Indian Physicians (AAIP) to sponsor cooking classes for members of the four federally recognized indigenous tribes in Kansas (e.g., Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, Kickapoo Nation of Kansas, Sac and Fox Nation, and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation). The classes are held in November in conjunction with Native American Heritage Month and Diabetes Awareness Month.
“We have organized a very successful event with members of the Native American population in Northeast Kansas for the last three years,” said AARP Kansas Director Maren Turner. “Because of the classes, participants have made changes in both lifestyle and cooking habits. Fitness centers and walking trails have also been developed by some of the tribes to encourage physical activity."
On November 6 and 7, 2014, 24 Native American cooks participated in the annual event to learn how to cook a healthy, nutritional meal using traditional indigenous foods.   Each event began with an education and information program about diabetes followed by a hands-on cooking class with award-winning Chef Richard Hetzler.  Chef Hetzler guided his students through the food preparation showing them cooking techniques and providing advice and information, as well as helping them follow his tasty recipes.
Since 2011, AARP Kansas has partnered with Chef Hetzler, who was previously with Mitsitam Café at the Smithsonian Institute, to teach the participants how to prepare food in a way that is healthy and delicious. The annual event takes place at the Prairie Band Potawatomi Casino in Mayetta. This year’s menu included farina and baby greens with avocado vinaigrette, grilled buffalo hanger steak, creamy corn puree, roasted baby carrots and balsamic mushrooms, followed by an apple sauce cake, with local honey and apple raisin caramel sauce.
Along with the cooking class, participants receive information about eating healthy, the importance of exercise, and resources on how to manage chronic illnesses like diabetes. As a result, over the past three years, participants have reported shifts in behaviors including substituting high fat/sugar ingredients for more healthy ones, increasing physical activity, weight loss and generally healthier living.

To get a glimpse of Chef Hetzler's class, check out this video.