As a part of Santa Rosa Junior College’s Native American Heritage Month, the Intercultural Center will host a demonstration of traditional Native American food with an emphasis on acorn mush at 2 p.m. Nov. 15 in Pioneer Hall.
Native American studies instructor Lori Laiwa Thomas will lead the event and plans to share how acorns are used in traditional Pomo food.
“I am Pomo, I am Coast Miwok and I am Huchnom, which is from Potter Valley, but I come from about 14 separate tribal villages within Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin County,” Thomas said. “Acorn is a very staple food that has kept our people alive since the beginning of time.”
Thomas wishes to preserve and share her people’s culture and traditions and wants attendees to know the importance of acorns not only as a food source but also as an influential part of the culture.
Attendees can look forward to learning about the traditional and modern techniques of harvesting and preparing acorns as well as sampling the dishes Thomas will prepare. “It’s an acquired taste,” Thomas said about acorn mush.
Besides acorn mush, many of the dishes will include salmon, seaweed and tortillas.
The event is free and open to all but will follow SRJC’s current COVID-19 guidelines.
Should the number of attendees end up exceeding a certain amount, the event will be moved to the Girvin Student Activity Center at the Bertolini Student Services Building on the first floor.
For more information and events for Native American Heritage Month 2022 visit SRJC Intercultural Center website.
