At Indigikitchen, the journey from nature to table is about reconnection—with land, tradition and community. Mariah Gladstone, a descendant of the (Amskapi Piikani) Blackfeet Tribe and an enrolled member of the (Tsalagi) Cherokee Nation, leads a movement to revive Indigenous foods. “It all started with a desire to reteach a lot of this traditional foods information that has been really intentionally taken from us through colonization,” said Mariah. Using modern tools like her online cooking show, education lectures and immersive experiences in Babb, Montana, on the Blackfeet Reservation, Mariah shows how food is not just sustenance but a vital link to cultural heritage and identity.
A Living Tradition
For Mariah, every ingredient carries meaning. Whether gathering native plants or harvesting from her garden, she honors the cultural significance of each food. “Whenever we harvest, we always want to give something back as a show of gratitude,” Mariah explained. This practice reflects a reciprocal relationship with the land at the heart of Indigenous foodways. Each meal is an opportunity to teach these timeless principles, creating a deeper understanding of how culture and environment are intertwined.
“I work with Indigenous foods from all across the continent, but also foraged foods from right here on the Blackfeet Reservation.”
Bridging Past and Present
Mariah transforms traditional ingredients into vibrant dishes designed for today's world. Every recipe blends ancient knowledge with contemporary techniques, from heirloom grains and foraged roots to bison and elk. “The recipes that I dream up draw on ingredients we've had for thousands of years, but are also things that make sense in the modern kitchen,” she said. Her dishes are an invitation to explore how tradition can thrive in the present. A sample curated menu from Indigikitchen might include a salad from Mariah's garden with chokecherry vinegarette, three sisters soup, slow-cooked bison and cranberry wild rice pilaf with blueberry sauce, and a sunflower maple cookie.
A Unique Culinary Experience
Mariah offers guests the chance to be immersed in her world of harvesting, preparing and savoring meals. These handson dinners go beyond cooking, introducing participants to the medicinal and nutritional benefits of Indigenous foods while highlighting the rich stories behind each ingredient. Against the backdrop of Western Montana's landscape, these gatherings celebrate connection—to the land, food and each other.
“There's a lot of really beautiful places to explore and connect.”
Savor the Story
With every meal, Mariah reclaims a narrative of resilience, innovation and respect for nature. “When we eat from the landscape, when we connect with our traditional foods, we're restoring cultural ties,” she said. She shows us that what we eat, and how we eat it, is a means to harnessing the wisdom of the land while fostering a more sustainable future.
