Thirteen Moons Kitchen
Donation protected
Aaniin! Thirteen Moons Kitchen is an ever-evolving, radical-minded project with the intention of re-establishing an interdependent relationship with the natural world that surrounds us. We originally began this fundraiser with a goal of opening our own kitchen/cafe and quickly realized that must become a more long term goal. But we are ready to get to work now! So with that being said, we have found ourselves in the position to start a garden! We will be growing food to use for our own family + community, and to put towards a developing elders meal program. Along with vegetables, we will also be growing herbs + flowers! We want to transition into a farm set up when possible, though it is no surprise there are so many barriers in place to access land.
To help jumpstart this project and help make it more sustainable, we still want to obtain a FOOD TRUCK! Not only will this help us generate funding through the food truck season, it will also help us use some of the food we grow in the garden along with using our mobility to our advantage and expanding who we can serve.
Being in relation with food from start to finish, from seed to meal, is something we have always wanted to do though there isn't a lot of representation out there for farmers who havent been handed down multiple acres of stolen land. Its never felt attainable for us, especially living in the city. Land access is a HUGE barrier. It is one we have been trying to figure out how to get around for quite some time. Though representation IS lacking, we have found so much inspiration in all of the small Black + Indigenous farms and gardens we have been coming across. It is so affirming seeing others do the damn thing despite the immense amount of obstacles in place, and we know we can do the same.
Our plan is still to provide a space to have community gather, host workshops and events from knowledge holders all over to give others the opportunity to learn about traditional Indigenous food systems and how this can be implemented in modern ways. We realize the gravity of this responsibility and would appreciate your help in making this dream become a reality. We are also open to collaboration and project planning with others, please reach out if these ideas resonate especially if you are in 'West Michigan! As the season picks up, we can't wait to host workshops + garden days!
Why the name?:
The thirteen scales on the turtles back represent the 13 cycles of the moon and the changing seasons. We want to honor these cycles specifically in the context of how we nourish our bodies and tend the land.
The Current Team:
Cam Stott is the chef & owner of Jiibaakwaan Foods which was a catering service geared towards decolonized, farm to table food. (Jiibaakwaan Foods has now evolved into Thirteen Moons) He attended Secchia Institute for Culinary Education and is currently pursuing his bachelors degree in Environmental Science & Sustainable Food Systems. Cam is an enrolled member of Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. Cam pursued his vision of integrating food sovereignty & tribal food systems almost 4 years ago. What started as cooking classes and lectures quickly turned into food pop-ups and running takeout events throughout the summer. He is a member of I Collective , an autonomous group of Indigenous chefs, activists, herbalists, seed, and knowledge keepers. His passion is to witness and facilitate the revitalization of traditional food systems that provide accessibility of food & food knowledge to all. He is an avid forager and loves to experiment with the gastronomical & nutritional value of these foraged edibles. He also loves playing and writing music.
Cassandra Narvaiz-Stott is a full-spectrum doula and midwifery assistant in what’s known as Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is the partner to Camren in life and now in their shared work. Cassandra comes from Mexican and English/Scottish descent and is on the life-long journey of reconnecting with what was lost in the assimilation of migrating to "Northern America." Cassandra began to grow interest in food by watching Camren learn and pursue his passions in this field and attending food summits together. She believes that food and nourishment goes hand in hand with maternal health and is specifically passionate about nourishment in the postpartum period, with special regards to traditional Mexican postpartum care. She also received a certificate of completion with Postpartum Healing Lodge which focused on Anishinaabe postpartum skills specifically pertaining to herbs, traditional food, spiritual and physical health after birth, and traditional birth/postpartum practices. Cass and Cam also have two children together who consistently keep them on their toes.
Funds are going to be directed towards:
- 16 x 100 ft caterpillar tunnel
- compost/mulch/ potting soils
- farming tools (shovels, wheelbarrows, spades, measuring tapes, hoes, broadforks, etc)
- tables/shelving units
- seed starting trays
- seeds
- Irrigation configuration
- possible insect netting/ low tunnels
- harvesting tools
- packaging scale/ crates
- mobile tents/tables/ signage
- Financial support for facilitators
- children/youth programs
- elder meal program
- Continuing education via farm workshops
- licensing fees
-food truck costs
As we keep moving through the process of purchasing supplies and materials, we will update costs.
Together, we believe we can reconnect with our traditional food systems and learn what it means to be in relation to the land we reside on, while also striving to increase accessibility to ancestral foods!
FOOD IS MEDICINE!
Miigwetch for your support!
You can follow along with us on facebook orInstagram !
You can also check out a recent article Camren did with Second Wave Media- For Michigan’s Indigenous residents, decolonized food is medicine that decreases health disparities.
To help jumpstart this project and help make it more sustainable, we still want to obtain a FOOD TRUCK! Not only will this help us generate funding through the food truck season, it will also help us use some of the food we grow in the garden along with using our mobility to our advantage and expanding who we can serve.
Being in relation with food from start to finish, from seed to meal, is something we have always wanted to do though there isn't a lot of representation out there for farmers who havent been handed down multiple acres of stolen land. Its never felt attainable for us, especially living in the city. Land access is a HUGE barrier. It is one we have been trying to figure out how to get around for quite some time. Though representation IS lacking, we have found so much inspiration in all of the small Black + Indigenous farms and gardens we have been coming across. It is so affirming seeing others do the damn thing despite the immense amount of obstacles in place, and we know we can do the same.
Our plan is still to provide a space to have community gather, host workshops and events from knowledge holders all over to give others the opportunity to learn about traditional Indigenous food systems and how this can be implemented in modern ways. We realize the gravity of this responsibility and would appreciate your help in making this dream become a reality. We are also open to collaboration and project planning with others, please reach out if these ideas resonate especially if you are in 'West Michigan! As the season picks up, we can't wait to host workshops + garden days!
Why the name?:
The thirteen scales on the turtles back represent the 13 cycles of the moon and the changing seasons. We want to honor these cycles specifically in the context of how we nourish our bodies and tend the land.
The Current Team:
Cam Stott is the chef & owner of Jiibaakwaan Foods which was a catering service geared towards decolonized, farm to table food. (Jiibaakwaan Foods has now evolved into Thirteen Moons) He attended Secchia Institute for Culinary Education and is currently pursuing his bachelors degree in Environmental Science & Sustainable Food Systems. Cam is an enrolled member of Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. Cam pursued his vision of integrating food sovereignty & tribal food systems almost 4 years ago. What started as cooking classes and lectures quickly turned into food pop-ups and running takeout events throughout the summer. He is a member of I Collective , an autonomous group of Indigenous chefs, activists, herbalists, seed, and knowledge keepers. His passion is to witness and facilitate the revitalization of traditional food systems that provide accessibility of food & food knowledge to all. He is an avid forager and loves to experiment with the gastronomical & nutritional value of these foraged edibles. He also loves playing and writing music.
Cassandra Narvaiz-Stott is a full-spectrum doula and midwifery assistant in what’s known as Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is the partner to Camren in life and now in their shared work. Cassandra comes from Mexican and English/Scottish descent and is on the life-long journey of reconnecting with what was lost in the assimilation of migrating to "Northern America." Cassandra began to grow interest in food by watching Camren learn and pursue his passions in this field and attending food summits together. She believes that food and nourishment goes hand in hand with maternal health and is specifically passionate about nourishment in the postpartum period, with special regards to traditional Mexican postpartum care. She also received a certificate of completion with Postpartum Healing Lodge which focused on Anishinaabe postpartum skills specifically pertaining to herbs, traditional food, spiritual and physical health after birth, and traditional birth/postpartum practices. Cass and Cam also have two children together who consistently keep them on their toes.
Funds are going to be directed towards:
- 16 x 100 ft caterpillar tunnel
- compost/mulch/ potting soils
- farming tools (shovels, wheelbarrows, spades, measuring tapes, hoes, broadforks, etc)
- tables/shelving units
- seed starting trays
- seeds
- Irrigation configuration
- possible insect netting/ low tunnels
- harvesting tools
- packaging scale/ crates
- mobile tents/tables/ signage
- Financial support for facilitators
- children/youth programs
- elder meal program
- Continuing education via farm workshops
- licensing fees
-food truck costs
As we keep moving through the process of purchasing supplies and materials, we will update costs.
Together, we believe we can reconnect with our traditional food systems and learn what it means to be in relation to the land we reside on, while also striving to increase accessibility to ancestral foods!
FOOD IS MEDICINE!
Miigwetch for your support!
You can follow along with us on facebook orInstagram !
You can also check out a recent article Camren did with Second Wave Media- For Michigan’s Indigenous residents, decolonized food is medicine that decreases health disparities.
Organizer
Cam Stott
Organizer
Grand Rapids, MI