RED LAKE -- A pipe ceremony and honor song opened the first day of sales for "A Taste of Red Lake Cookbook" Monday at Red Lake High School.
The book, composed of 150 recipes, students' creative writing, artwork and photos, is billed as "A celebration of culture from the students of Red Lake High School." The cookbook costs $10 and is available at the school, by calling 218-679-3353, faxing 218-679-2321, e-mailing tasteofredlake@redlake ,k12.mn.us or writing to Taste of Red Lake Cookbook, c/o Red Lake High School, PO Box 499, Red Lake, MN 56671.
The project developed out of a relationship between Red Lake High School students and members of the General Mills American Indian Council. GMAIC taught a business course in which teams of students created and presented a snack product. The next idea was to collect recipes and create a quality cookbook. Cheri Olerud, an editor of "Betty Crocker Cookbook," helped students set up a format for recipes and editing submissions. DMAIC also gave the students a camera for illustrations and encouraged original artwork. Senior Brent Schoenborn won the contest for the cover illustration, a colored pencil drawing of an Anishinaabe surrounded by the symbols for the seven major clans. Senior LD Harris designed the inside cover, also featuring the seven clans. Students' family members, friends, school staff and GMAIC members contributed the recipes.
"It's a huge collaboration," said Charla Sheffield, Associate Channel Marketing manager for General Mills. "The first time I saw the cookbook, I cried."
She said when the cookbook idea emerged, GMAIC members researched different cookbook formats such as those published by companies for churches and other organizations.
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They decided to make "A Taste of Red Lake Cookbook" unique. Pages are 8-by-11-inch card stock bound with a spiral spine. A transparent plastic cover protects Schoenborn's artwork from spills in the kitchen. The book is illustrated and an explanation of the seasonal circle of life introduces some Anishinaabe traditions.
Red Lake Band Chairman Floyd Jourdain Jr.'s recipe for cooking wild rice and Secretary Kathryn Beaulieu's fry bread recipe handed down from her grandmother are the opening entries.
School Superintendent Brent Gish said he knew he couldn't compete with wild rice or fry bread, so he submitted his morel casserole specialty.
"I feel like I know everyone by their recipes," Olerud said.
"It's been and effort of love from the students and community," said Red Lake High School Principal Ev Arnold. "You kids stepped up and delivered."
"You have been able to take an idea and make it into this incredible product," Sheffield said.
"A nation is on the rise, and that nation is you," Beaulieu told the students, encouraging them to finish their educations and give themselves choices for the future.
GMAIC members bought the first 150 books and presented students with a check for $1,500.
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Tessy Johnson, a member of the Student Council, said the income from the book sales will be divided for five $1,000 scholarships for this year's graduates, a community day and a gift for the school.
"It was a lot of fun," said juniors Floris Strong and Ashley Cook, in unison.
"Everybody took part," Ashley said.
"It wasn't just one group," Floris said. "It turned out really nice."
