Honouring International Day of the World's Indigenous People with Food and Drink

A Celebration of Cultural Roots. Because We Are All Indigenous to Somewhere

Every year on 9 August, the world pauses to mark International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, a time to recognise and honour the resilience, wisdom, and cultural heritage of Indigenous communities across the globe. 

It’s a day for reflection, education, and, importantly, appreciation. 

And what better way to appreciate a culture than through its food and drink?

This year, consider marking the day with a respectful culinary journey that acknowledges the ancestral flavours and time-honoured traditions of Indigenous people — not just globally, but locally too. After all, we are all indigenous to somewhere, and embracing those roots can be both an act of celebration and solidarity.

Understanding the Day

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples was first proclaimed by the UN in 1994. It raises awareness of the unique cultures and challenges faced by Indigenous communities, and amplifies their voices in conversations around human rights, environmental protection, and cultural preservation.

But it isn’t only about policy or activism — it’s about recognising the deep contributions Indigenous people make to global heritage, including culinary traditions that have endured for centuries.

Celebrating with Respectful Food and Drink

Rather than appropriating dishes, the goal is to appreciate, learn, and support. Whether through cooking Indigenous recipes, supporting Indigenous-owned producers, or simply taking time to explore the ingredients and stories behind traditional meals, you can join this global celebration with intention and care.

Global Indigenous Dishes to Explore:

North America: Try Three Sisters Stew, a Native American dish built around corn, beans, and squash — ingredients known as the "three sisters" that sustain both land and community.

Australia: Explore kangaroo tail stew or dishes featuring native bush foods like wattleseed, lemon myrtle, and finger lime, often used in Aboriginal cuisine.

South America: Indigenous Quechua and Aymara cuisines feature quinoa, llama meat, and potatoes. Try a simple quinoa soup infused with herbs and Andean chillies.

Africa: From the Berbers of North Africa to the San people of Southern Africa, traditional stews, flatbreads, and fermented drinks such as injera or mahewu offer deep cultural connections.

Asia: Explore millet-based dishes and wild greens used by Indigenous groups in northeast India or the native peoples of Siberia who traditionally cook with game and fish.

New Zealand (Aotearoa): Prepare a version of hangi, a Māori cooking method involving earth ovens — or try smoky, slow-roasted meats with kumara (sweet potato).

Indigenous Drinks to Sample:

Chicha morada: A traditional Peruvian drink made from purple corn, cloves, and pineapple.

Yerba maté: A social drink rooted in Guaraní and other Indigenous South American cultures.

Juniper tea or cedar tea: Used in traditional healing among various North American Indigenous peoples.

Mahewu: A fermented maize drink popular among Bantu-speaking communities.

Kava: A ceremonial drink from the Pacific Islands known for its calming effects.

Support Indigenous Producers

You can also mark the day by seeking out Indigenous-owned businesses, food producers, artists, and chefs. Purchase wild rice from Ojibwe growers, bush spices from Aboriginal collectives, or seed-saving kits from Indigenous gardening projects. These choices help support sustainability, food sovereignty, and cultural continuity.

Celebrate Your Own Indigenous Roots

You don’t have to look far to join in. Consider exploring the foods of your own heritage — perhaps your ancestors cultivated rye on the Scottish coast, fished the Irish lochs, or gathered mushrooms in Eastern Europe. Research traditional dishes from your ancestral homeland and cook something that reconnects you with the foodways of your past.

A Mindful Celebration

Marking International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples through food is not about trendiness or exoticism — it’s about respect, acknowledgement, and reconnection. Food tells the story of place, people, and perseverance. Let’s listen.

So gather around the table, share a story or two, honour the land that feeds us — and raise a glass (or a gourd, or a coconut shell) to the Indigenous peoples of the world.

We are all indigenous to somewhere. Let’s never forget it.