Native American allies in the culinary, music and arts industries
are joining forces with the
American Indian College
Fund for its upcoming
NYC EATSS Event to
take place on the evening of April 30, 2024. The American Indian
College Fund aims to change lives and communities by investing in
Native students and tribal college education.
For one night only on April 30, an immersive cultural
celebration unlike any other will unfold in the most culturally
diverse city in the world at Chelsea Piers – The
Lighthouse Pier 61 in New York, New York from 5:30
to 8:30 p.m. ET. To purchase tickets or learn more about
NYC EATSS, follow this link.
Guests will be able to indulge in a meal prepared by some of the
nation's top Native chefs, including Chef Sherry
Pocknett, recipient of the prestigious 2023 James Beard
Award. “Fourteen thousand years later and we're still here,”
Pocknett said. “It's our responsibility to nurture and protect the
planet. My aim is not to commodify culture but to share our way of
life and educate others on the importance of environmental
stewardship.”
“An artistic exhibition from the Institute of American
Indian Arts (IAIA) will provide a unique opportunity for
attendees to marvel at their Native students' creative work in a
vast spectrum of mediums and platforms. These Native artists and
students are empowered to develop their artistic style without
being confined by tradition and history, and to embrace their
creativity with no limitations. An on-stage discussion with
Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of
the American Indian College Fund, and her daughter and
granddaughter will take place during the evening. This transparent
and impactful dialogue between generations will highlight the vital
role of higher education in their lives and in uplifting
communities in tribal settings.”
“I am deeply aware that our young people need our love and
support in order to overcome the many challenges they encounter.
Our Native children and youth, and indeed, all young people,
deserve to see themselves in positive ways,” remarked Crazy Bull.
“The prayers and dreams of our ancestors have given us the courage
and strength to work towards transforming the lives of all Native
students today and for future generations. I am hopeful that you
will join me in supporting this life-changing celebration and
immersive experience on April 30.”
Featured Chefs:
Chef Sherry Pocknett (Mashpee Wampanoag):
Pocknett brings her Indigenous heritage and culinary expertise to
the forefront, specializing in the Bounty of the Season, Native
American indigenous food, and New England cooking. Raised with a
deep appreciation for tradition by her parents, Bernadine and
Vernon, who instilled in her the values of Wampanoag culture,
Sherry's passion for food and education is evident in her work. As
the first Indigenous woman to win a James Beard Award for Best Chef
Northeast in 2023, Chef Sherry is the proud owner of Sly Fox Den
restaurant and is expanding with a second location, Sly Fox Den
Too.
Chef Bradley Dry (Cherokee): With over 12 years
in the restaurant industry, Dry is dedicated to crafting
traditional Cherokee dishes using wholesome, locally sourced
ingredients. His heartfelt cooking aims to foster happiness and
community, whether at special events like Pow Wows or in his future
restaurant, Elisi, named after the Cherokee word for
grandmother.
Chef Anthony Bauer (Turtle Mountain Band of
Chippewa): Bauer, an Economic & Workforce Specialist
with the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, brings over 25
years of culinary experience to the table. Inspired by his family's
love for food and tradition, Chef Bauer combines traditional
ingredients with contemporary flair at his restaurant, Traditional
Fire Custom Cuisine, aiming to inspire Native youth to explore the
culinary field.
Chef Andrea Condes (Andean): Condes, an Andean
chef and entrepreneur, channels her experiences into Four
Directions Cuisine, emphasizing local and indigenous sourcing while
preserving traditional knowledge. Through food menus, workshops,
and speeches, Chef Condes seeks to dismantle colonial perspectives
and make a positive impact in local and national communities.
Chef Ben Jacobs (Osage): Jacobs is a nationally
renowned chef and co-founder of Tocabe, An American Indian Eatery,
which showcases Osage family recipes in a modern context. With a
commitment to supporting Native American food professionals and
communities, Chef Jacobs' restaurants have garnered acclaim from
esteemed publications and media outlets nationwide, solidifying
Tocabe's position as the country's largest Native American
restaurant chain.
The evening culminates with an exclusive concert featuring
Native musician Raye Zaragoza, whose music
poignantly reflects her compassion, dedication to justice and
equality for all, and a keen eye for the seemingly small daily
moments that become our most meaningful memories. The International
Folk Music Awards presented by Folk Alliance International honored
Zaragoza with the Rising Tide Award in 2021.
Presently she is in charge of writing the music for Netflix’s
Spirit Rangers, a series that has an entirely Native American cast
and writers’ room.
“When I wrote this song ‘Fight Like a Girl,’ to me it was an
anthem to acknowledge all the women of color, like the unsung
heroes of feminism,” Zaragoza said, listing among them her
grandmothers, great-grandmothers, the Indigenous women in her life
as well as the “not-famous women” whom she considers her personal
champions. She was honored for her song ‘In The
River,’ which was written to express opposition to the
Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016. Zaragoza and her brother made a
video for ‘In The River’ that included facts about Standing Rock,
and it received 100,000 views overnight. In 2017, the song was
given the Heretic Award for Protest/Activist Music by the Global
Music Awards, as well as the Honesty Oscars’ award for Best Song at
the Honesty Oscars.
“The Native community in LA has been a huge part of my life
since I moved here at the age of 14,” added Zaragoza. “Indigenous
artists aren’t played on the radio or given space in mainstream
publications enough, so I do what I can to be as proud as I can and
pave the way for other artists too.”
NYC EATSS Chelsea Piers – The
Lighthouse Pier 61 in New York, New
York
On April 30, 2024 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
ET.
To purchase tickets or learn more about NYC EATSS,
follow this link.
To learn more about the American Indian College
Fund – collegefund.org
The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest
charity supporting Native higher education for 35 years. The
College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided $17.4
million in scholarships and other direct student support to
American Indian students in 2022–23. Since its founding in 1989 the
College Fund has provided more than $319 million in scholarships,
programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund
also supports a variety of academic and support programs at the
nation’s 34 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are
located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the
tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund
consistently receives top ratings from independent charity
evaluators and is one of the nation’s top 100 charities named to
the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.
To learn more about Raye Zaragoza –
rayezaragoza.com
Raye Zaragoza is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and
performer whose multinational heritage (Native American (O’odham),
Mexican, Taiwanese and Japanese) deeply informs her music. Raye
performs her music all over the United States and Europe. Her music
has been featured on Democracy Now! and on numerous lists of the
best modern-day protest songs, including those by Paste Magazine,
What Culture, and Overblown. Raye has been invited to perform at
the United Nations in New York City, and will be performing with
TEDxHerndon in Virginia.
Related Links
The American Indian College FundNYC
EATSSRaye ZaragozaSly
FoxVladimir Jones Advertising Agency
Photos accompanying this announcement are available
at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b5924ef4-a111-4f4c-9d82-f44070663617
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2e6fe05a-384d-4a61-bb90-0edf620c8b15
For all press/media inquiries or to schedule an interview please contact:
Amanda Mastera, amastera@vladimirjones.com