GOOD DEEDS DEPT.
Our first home in Duluth was two blocks above the Nettleton School in the Central Hillside. (Bob Dylan's first home here was two blocks East of the Nettleton School, fwiw.) Two blocks down toward the lake from the school was a conveniently located grocery store called the Fourth Street Market. The business closed several years back which was unfortunate because it was a convenient place to fetch milk and other staples. The large grocery stores required transportation and were not easily accessible for low income families in the Hillside.
When the market closed it was more than a disappointment for many. Then, this past July we learned that the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) had acquired the building, with a vision for its future. In November AICHO held an opening ceremony, dedicating the space with a tradition pipe ceremony and drums. The place was packed and some of their vision was shared.
This past week it was announced that Essentia Health, a neighbor four blocks to the East, has donated $50,000 toward the conversion of the former 4th Street Market into what will be the Nijwin Indigenous Food Market. This was a pretty exciting gift indeed.
I reached out to LeAnn Littlewolf to learn more about the emerging plans for the market. Part of the vision involves taking advantage of the view of the lake offered by the rear side of the building. Ultimately the Niiwin will be a retail grocery store that showcases Indigenous foods, including wild rice that identifies sources. An Indigenous deli, coffee roasting, along with all the staples of the local grocery.
The renovated space aims to be a meeting place as well, though the ultimate aim is access to healthy, fresh food for the low-income neighborhood, and regional access to nutrient-dense traditional Indigenous food products.
Ms. Littlewolf said they have plans to have food education take place there as well, with information about food processing and the nutrients in their food. People will learn the difference between flint corn and white corn, how hominy corn is process with wood ash, and other processes that have been emerging through the Native Food Movement.
"It's exciting to learn about traditional ways of cooking food. We have a rich Indigenous food history," she said.
* * * *
The Essentia grant has been designated for new equipment. In the meantime there will be Pop-Up events like the Winter Market as the work continues.
For more information, contact LeAnn Littlewolf at leann.aicho@gmail.com
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| Seeking community feedback at the opening in November. |
When the market closed it was more than a disappointment for many. Then, this past July we learned that the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) had acquired the building, with a vision for its future. In November AICHO held an opening ceremony, dedicating the space with a tradition pipe ceremony and drums. The place was packed and some of their vision was shared.
This past week it was announced that Essentia Health, a neighbor four blocks to the East, has donated $50,000 toward the conversion of the former 4th Street Market into what will be the Nijwin Indigenous Food Market. This was a pretty exciting gift indeed.
 |
| The building was packed when they held their opening celebration in early November. |
The renovated space aims to be a meeting place as well, though the ultimate aim is access to healthy, fresh food for the low-income neighborhood, and regional access to nutrient-dense traditional Indigenous food products.
Ms. Littlewolf said they have plans to have food education take place there as well, with information about food processing and the nutrients in their food. People will learn the difference between flint corn and white corn, how hominy corn is process with wood ash, and other processes that have been emerging through the Native Food Movement.
"It's exciting to learn about traditional ways of cooking food. We have a rich Indigenous food history," she said.
* * * *
The Essentia grant has been designated for new equipment. In the meantime there will be Pop-Up events like the Winter Market as the work continues.
For more information, contact LeAnn Littlewolf at leann.aicho@gmail.com
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