But women from other tribes who lived near us would make something else from those same plums. And she's well into negotiations with several groups that want to market the idea. After all, we've got every other kind of ethnic restaurant in this country. Native American is the only ethnic cuisine that hasn't been tapped. Oden is campaigning hard to have Corn Dance Cafe chosen for the Smithsonian's new Museum of Native American Culture.
Food really is the way to reach people.
It is the key to a culture. I have no patience with my brothers and sisters who carry a chip on their shoulder. We have to work with that. Will Marilyn Umtuch of the American Indian Center of Santa Clara Valley needs to fill more than 350 food baskets this time of year for elders of the South Bay's Native American population. Now in its 27th year, the Indian Center is a nonprofit cultural resource offering job training, counseling and referral, as well as sponsorship of art and craft events.