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Want to sample what was on the menu in America before the pilgrims?

Check out a Native Foods Celebration on Oct. 26 at the American Indian Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The free public event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the lawn of Abernethy Hall, located at South Columbia Street and Cameron Avenue.

To find it, just look for the giant pumpkins. The fantastic fruits will be fresh from showings at the North Carolina State Fair and the Yadkin Valley Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off.

Samples of native foods available for munching will include pumpkin, wild rice, succotash, quinoa (a native grain), chocolate, nuts, corn and dried berries. Foods on display will include squashes, dried Indian corn and sunflowers with seeds and roots, probably the first native domesticates in North America. 

Stories will be told. Handouts will share information about native foods, including their sources, their nutritional values and how they were prepared. Staff at booths will educate visitors about American Indian culture and contributions to agriculture and world cuisine.

The celebration will kick off American Indian Heritage Month at Carolina. Chancellor Holden Thorp will issue a statement, to be read at the event, in support of the month of November as American Indian Heritage Month.

“All members of the Chapel Hill community, including school groups, senior citizens centers and the public, as well as our campus community, are invited to attend,” said Clara Sue Kidwell, American Indian Center director. “This is set to be a very fun, educational and family friendly event, and we encourage those of all ages to come.”

For more information, contact Brandi Brooks at (919) 843-4189 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

News Services contact: LJ Toler, (919) 962-8589