Driven by fresh local flavours and ingredients, Indigenous cuisine is thriving in Canada, with chefs opening restaurants that honour and share culinary traditions nationwide.
As the #1 Canadian meal kit brand, it was important for us to explore a unique collaboration that would connect home cooks from coast to coast with an authentic Indigenous recipe. But this wasn’t something we could do alone. Earlier this year, with support from Destination Ontario, Goodfood joined forces with Indigenous Tourism Ontario to get this exciting project off the ground.
We were thrilled when the acclaimed Chef Joseph Shawana, an Odawa from the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve on Manitoulin Island, agreed to dive in with us. Chef Joseph worked alongside our Chef Jordana to develop an incredible Indigenous-inpired recipe using fresh, local ingredients available for us to share with our members.
Meet Joseph Shawana: Chef & Educator
Chef Joseph, an Odawa from the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve on Manitoulin Island, is renowned for blending Classical French techniques with the vibrant, authentic flavours of Indigenous cuisine. Passionate about quality and tradition, his dishes celebrate the deep cultural roots and stories behind Indigenous ingredients.
Currently a professor and Indigenous culinary advisor at Centennial College, Joseph is dedicated to advancing culinary education and fostering inclusivity across communities.
He was the visionary behind Kūkŭm Kitchen, a celebrated high-end Indigenous restaurant that earned the 2019 Best World Cuisine award, standing out among over 33,000 restaurants.
For many years, Chef Joseph Shawana has championed efforts to break barriers, spotlight Indigenous foodways, and share Canada’s rich Indigenous culinary and cultural heritage with the world.
Chef Joseph Shawana’s Goodfood recipe
Lean, clean bison is his meat of choice, laid over a landscape of red rice textured with dried cranberries and walnuts. This premium recipe comes at a lower cost, courtesy of our friends at Destination Ontario.
Ontario Indigenous-Style Bison Meatballs with Blueberry BBQ Sauce & Red Rice Pilaf
Limited time only
Illustrations by Emily Kewageshig
An Anishinaabe artist and visual storyteller from Saugeen First Nation No. 29, Kewageshig is the artist behind the beautiful artwork you see here and on the recipe card. With a deep-rooted connection to her heritage, her artwork explores the intricate interconnection of life forms, weaving together both traditional and contemporary materials.
Her creative practice is centered around the cyclical themes of birth, death, and rebirth—concepts that have profound significance in both her cultural teachings and personal lived experiences.
Take your Indigenous culinary journey beyond the kitchen
You’ve brought Indigenous-inspired flavours to your plate, now discover where those traditions come to life. Across Ontario, Indigenous communities are sharing their rich food heritage through immersive culinary and nature experiences.
Mādahòkì Farm | Ottawa, Ont.
Just outside Ottawa, Mādahòkì Farm is a vibrant, year-round cultural destination that invites you to experience Indigenous culture through hands-on activities and farm offerings. Connect with the land, animals and traditions of this sacred place.
Thunderbird Farm | Woodville, Ont.
Connect with Indigenous culture through the land, its stories, and its flavours. Activities weave together time with farm animals, guided outdoor activities, and opportunities to taste or prepare food inspired by Indigenous ingredients and tradition.
Wikwemikong Tourism | Manitoulin Island, Ont.
Located in Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, Wikwemikong Tourism offers guided experiences that connect food, land, and culture. Forage for seasonal and natural ingredients, then gather around the fire to prepare and enjoy traditional meals.
Special thanks to our partners
Indigenous Tourism Ontario
Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) is the province’s first and only dedicated Indigenous tourism organization that focuses on uniting communities, organizations and industry leaders to support the growth of Indigenous tourism in Ontario.
Destination Ontario
Destination Ontario is the lead tourism marketing organization for Ontario, Canada. We market Ontario to travel consumers within Ontario, Canada and around the world. We inspire travellers to make Ontario a must-see destination on their travel list and to return to the beauty of Ontario again and again.