Loretta Barrett Oden facts for kids

Loretta Barrett Oden is a talented Native American chef, food historian, writer, and TV host. She is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is well-known for sharing the amazing flavors and traditions of Native American foods. Loretta hosted the PBS show Seasoned With Spirit: A Native Cook's Journey. She also writes a column called Spirit of the Harvest for Native Peoples Magazine.

Growing Up in Oklahoma

Loretta Oden was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma. She grew up as a proud member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. This background deeply influenced her love for Native American culture and food.

Sharing Native Food Traditions

Loretta Oden has dedicated her career to exploring and sharing Native American food traditions. She spent three years traveling all over the United States. During her travels, she learned many different recipes and cooking methods from various Native American tribes.

Opening a Special Restaurant

In the early 1990s, when she was about 50 years old, Loretta opened a restaurant called Corn Dance Café. She started it with her son, Clayton, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The dishes served at the café were inspired by all the tribal traditions she had learned during her travels. It was a unique place that celebrated Native American cuisine.

Returning to Her Roots

Loretta moved back to Oklahoma in 2003. She continued her work as a native foods historian, writer, and television host.

Working with Museums and Programs

Today, Loretta Oden is the chef consultant for the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She helps the museum share the history and culture of Native American foods. She is also working with AARP on a special program called Native Origins. This program helps provide meals for elders in Native communities.

Award-Winning TV Host

Loretta wrote and hosted the PBS series Seasoned With Spirit: A Native Cook's Journey. This show taught viewers about Native American cooking and traditions. For her work on the series, she won a New England Emmy. This award shows how much her work is appreciated.

Supporting Food Sovereignty

Loretta is also a founding member of a group called the Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance. This organization works to help Native peoples grow and produce their own food using traditional methods. This is important for their food security and cultural heritage. She also continues to write her column, Spirit of the Harvest, for Native Peoples Magazine.

Loretta's Family Life

Loretta Oden has two sons. She also has two stepdaughters from her second marriage.