Respect, Kindness Served at Traditional Thanksgiving Meal

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Residents of a Dearborn senior living community had a traditional Thanksgiving last week.

No, the meal at Oakwood Common was not turkey, dressing and what’s considered traditional by today’s standards.

Rather, a meal similar to what Native Americans may have eaten was served as part of a once-monthly cultural adventure that allows Oakwood Common residents the opportunity to explore traditions and customs of a dozen different cultures around the world.

The year-long program titled “A Meal in the Life” was introduced in November. The first month featured a traditional Russian meal that included classic Ukrainian borscht. Residents also receive a recipe book with a unique recipe for each month.

While the Thanksgiving feast may have been prepared differently years ago, it is known that Native Americans considered kindness and food to be the important elements of hospitality and entertaining guests.

Traditions shared in the recipe book indicated that there was no traditional meal time, and guests were always given the best food available and treated with respect, kindness and humility.

The Native American meal prepared for Oakwood Common residents by Executive Chef James “Jamie” Minton, II and his staff, included citrus almond wild rice salad, butternut squash and apple soup, pecan encrusted trout, red quinoa and hominy, and pumpkin apple spice cake.

Residents will still get a modern Thanksgiving meal Thursday, Steve Berry, general manager of Oakwood Common’s dining services, said in a statement.

“Our Native American meal was a thoughtful and tasty way to showcase different types of food people cooked years ago, and that we still enjoy,” Berry said.

The Oakwood Common dining room is also decorated to reflect the culture or country featured each month. During the year-long culinary experience, residents have learned about the food, hospitality and traditions of Italy, Germany, Ireland, India, Caribbean, France, Japan and other countries and regions.

Photos courtesy of Oakwood Common

Brittney Malewski serves Oakwood Common resident Barbara Kerr a meal similar to what may have been eaten by Native Americans on Thanksgiving.

From left, Oakwood Common sous chef Steve Shaughnessy, dining services general manager Steve Berry, and executive chef Jamie Minton, II introduce November’s Native American meal for residents.