Fire in the contemporary cuisines of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Abstract

Spiritual dish, medicine wheel flatbread, flamed game and smoked fish are all examples of the intersection of Indigenous food and spirituality. This article explores this intersection by examining the conceptualization of fire in Indigenous cultures in Canada, particularly in Quebec, through an analysis of cuisines. How do contemporary Indigenous cuisines in Canada express their relationship to fire? What is the significance of fire in Indigenous cuisines? What is the symbolic value of smoke, both as a smell and a taste, in Indigenous foods? The analysis is based on two studies: one conducted with a First Nations community in Quebec and another focused on Indigenous restaurants in Canada. The discussion suggests that fire has a relational potential and helps to signify, through cuisine, the connection between Indigenous peoples and the land.