Nov 08, 2023

Question of the Day [Native American Heritage Month]: Can you guess any of the 3 top-selling menu items at this popular Indigenous restaurant?

Bonus points if you can guess the price at this James Beard Award-winning restaurant in Minneapolis!

Answer:

  1. Bison Ribeye ($68)
  2. Roasted Sweet Potatoes ($15)
  3. Stuffed Poblano ($32)
A logo that reads "Owamni, by the Sioux Chef"       Chef Sean Sherman standing in his restaurant, Owamni.
Chef Sean Sherman. Photo: Owamni.


Questions:

  • How might Owamni's focus on Indigenous cuisine influence its initial start-up costs and financial planning? Consider things like sourcing specialty ingredients and hiring staff with specific culinary skills.
  • How can a business like Owamni financially empower the local Indigenous community? Consider potential job creation, support for local Indigenous suppliers, and fostering cultural awareness.
  • Discuss the broader economic contributions that an Indigenous-owned business like Owamni can make to the city of Minneapolis, like how it encourages money circulation within the community.

 

Here are the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day that you can use in your classroom.

 

Behind the numbers (Owamni):

"Experience the true flavors of North America, featuring foods of Mni Sota Makoce, Land Where the Waters Reflect the Clouds.

We prioritize purchasing from Indigenous food producers locally and nationally. We have removed colonial ingredients such as wheat flour, cane sugar and dairy. We are proud to present a decolonized dining experience."

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For more information on Indigenous food sovereignty, check out North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS).

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Are you curious about what it takes to start a business? Check out NGPF's Entrepreneurship mini-unit.

About the Author

Ryan Wood

Ryan grew up with and maintains a love for learning. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a degree in Business Administration and worked in sports marketing for a number of years. After living in Texas, Colorado, Tennessee, and Minnesota, the call of education eventually brought Ryan back to his home state of Wisconsin where he was a Business and Marketing teacher for three years. In his free time he likes to spend time with his wife and daughter, play basketball, read, and go fishing. Now with NGPF, Ryan is excited to help teachers lead the most important course their students will ever take.

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