‘Food made with love’: Indigenous restaurant offers pay-it-forward meals

For Edmonton’s Curtis Cardinal, being able to feed the community is a “dream come true.”

Through his restaurant and catering business, Tee Pee Treats Indigenous Cuisine, he’s able to feed anyone who walks through the doors – regardless of financial means.

Tee Pee Treats has been selling “suspended meals” through their new space in the Quarters neighbourhood downtown, where community members looking to give back can buy meals ahead of time for those who can’t afford it.

“People who are living off the street, to give something to eat, a quality meal,” said Cardinal.

He says suspended meals are good for anything on the bannock-inspired menu.

Cardinal has been blown away by the community response to the initiative. Last week, after running out of suspended meals, he put the call out on social media.

The response? Nearly 300 donated meals.

Curtis Cardinal at Tee Pee Treats Indigenous Cuisine. (Credit: CityNews/Carly Robinson)

“It’s hard out there, I know how it is,” said the Cree chef, telling CityNews he has personal experience with houselessness and addiction.

Cardinal says it was through his time at the Poundmaker Lodge, an Indigenous addiction treatment centre in St. Albert, and re-connecting with his culture that set him on the path of creating Tee Pee Treats.

He started selling bannock – a type of fried Indigenous bread – out of a backpack at Pow Wows before starting a catering business. Now, a decade later, he hopes the Tee Pee Treats restaurant space can help others who are struggling.

“I remember when I was first eating bannock and soup with my kokum and mosom, it was a treat. It would uplift me in a way.

“That’s what is helping with these people, because they ate it when they were kids. They are always so thankful.”

Making bannock at Tee Pee Treats Indigenous Cuisine. (Credit: CityNews/Carly Robinson)

Cardinal says he often reminds those accessing the suspended meals that they are not free, but pre-purchased by someone in community who cares.

“They order off the menu, and they get food made with love.”

Cardinal is also planning a donation drive for winter clothing, knowing how quickly cold weather creeps up on you in Edmonton.