Indigenous Food Lab

10/08/2026

We are super excited to launch our 2026 Indigenous Food gift boxes!

Curated to share the rich, diverse flavors of Turtle Island, these limited-edition boxes are available for pre-order online now, and shipping will begin October 12th. Whether you are looking for the perfect gift or want to enrich your own pantry, these collections include delicious food items that honor the deep heritage and rich diversity of our lands.

Starting October 12th, you can also pick up gift boxes in person at the Indigenous Food Lab at the Midtown Global Market or at our new restaurant, Indígena by Owamni.

Drop a comment and tell us what you would like to try.

10/05/2026

“To***co,” is oftentimes a general term utilized by Indigenous peoples to refer to any plant or blend of plants that is used in offering and smoking mixtures. 

Today, we are talking about “true” to***co, which refers to plants in the Nicotiana genus, which primarily grows on Turtle Island and Australia, with isolated native populations in Southwestern Africa and the South Pacific. 

While most Native Americans farmed and tended fields of Nicotiana rustica, N. quadruvalvis, and N. attenuata, we have a beautiful stand of N. sylvestris growing right here in the Twin Cities, and we are honored to harvest, process, and share this gift with our community. 

Dakota: čhaŋdí
Lakota: čhaŋlí
Ojibwe: asemaa
HoChunk: tanį

To***co leaves are harvested when they are green and vibrant, usually in very late summer or early fall. In order for the aroma and flavor to develop, most To***co is cured in a careful and slow process that requires lots of humidity. 

Many Indigenous groups have been leading efforts to end the abuse of commercial To***co and promote the sacredness and importance of ceremonial To***co. Check out Indigenous-led efforts by organizations such as Keep To***co Sacred, and the American Indian Cancer Foundation

10/02/2026

09/17/2026

We are continuing our invasive plant series, and today’s plant is a doozy! Artemisia absinthium is a member of the sunflower family and is closely related to ceremonial sage. In English, many people refer to this plant as wormwood, while others call it absinthe sage.

This is, indeed, the same plant from which the spirit absinthe is distilled, but the whole plant may also be dried and used for tea, which has many benefits, including as a powerful anti-parasitic. A word of caution: wormwood contains thujone, a compound to which some people are sensitive. 

Let us know how you've used wormwood.

09/11/2026

A MASSIVE wopila tanka, chi miigwech, muchas gracias, and thank you to everyone in our community who helped make Indigenous Peoples Day at the Minnesota State Fair such a resounding success. Every year that we've presented has gotten better and better, and this year was really the best yet. A special shoutout to all of the exhibitors and presenters for sharing your work with everyone.

09/04/2026

You have probably seen creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides) growing all around your neighborhood this summer. It is one of the most pervasive and aggressive weeds found across North America. You’ll notice its tall stalks and distinct purple, bell-shaped flowers popping up in the summer and continuing into early fall. They can be quite attractive, but unfortunately, they’re also incredibly aggressive and persistent—so when you see them, you should dig them up and eat them.

Creeping bellflower was introduced from Eurasia as an ornamental plant, but it has since become rampant in North America and can now be found everywhere from gardens to forests and everything in between. It spreads aggressively through both seeds and an extensive underground root system, allowing it to crowd out native plants. A single plant can produce thousands of seeds, and even small pieces of root left in the soil can grow into new plants!

The good news for us urban foragers is that the whole plant is edible. The flowers, young tender shoots, and roots are all mild-flavored and can be prepared in different ways. The young shoots can be blanched and sautéed and make a great addition to a stir-fry. The flowers can be eaten as is or added to a dish as a garnish, and the roots can be cooked and prepared in a variety of ways.

So, next time you see creeping bellflower, pull it out. Dig carefully and try to remove as much of the root system as possible, because simply snapping it off at the surface won’t stop it from coming back. Take it home, cook it up, and enjoy it.

08/29/2026