“I think having a title this huge, in my mind, is like, how can this help our people? How can I inspire other Indigenous women to go after what they want?”
Gwich’in Chef Stephanie Baryluk has been named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network for her influence on Indigenous cuisine.
“As an Indigenous woman, we face a lot of barriers, “she says, “stepping outside of that, and trying to push some boundaries, trying to educate people on who we are in a respectful way, is power.”
“The more work we do like this can only help our people, so I’m going to continue as far as I can.”
“You can never forget all the people who helped you and encouraged you to achieve these big things. So I always make sure I stay grounded,” says Baryluk. “I’m aware of who helped me, what it took to get here and how this is going to help others. That’s the big thing.” ( Photo courtesy of Stephanie Baryluk)
From the land to the kitchen table, Baryluk brings all that she knows growing up in Teetl’it Zheh (Fort McPherson) to her food. She draws inspiration from Gwich’in tradition and ways of life.
“I grew up in -40 weather. I ate caribou meat, moose, ducks and geese,” she says. “My spin on indigenous cuisine is quite different.”
Coming off the tails of her Mrs. B’s Jerky business and Indigenous ‘Rooted’ food program with Simon Fraser University. Baryluk continues to break the mould by serving indigeneity, culture and history one bite at a time.
“I want people to know that we’re very resilient, we use what we have and if we don’t have something we adapt,” she says. “A lot of our cooking, a lot of our serving is done through love.”
Home cooking, the act of gathering and sharing a meal with family is at the core of Baryluk’s cuisine.
“I want it to be very memorable for our people,” says Baryluk.”If I can find connections with others through some of the dishes, than it’s exciting for me.”
Due to climate change and other socio-political factors, Baryluk recognizes the issues facing her community when it comes to food security and access.
“We aren’t hunting and fishing as much as we used to,” she says, this drives certain health issues like malnutrition, obesity and diabetes.
Baryluk says a whole community effort brought her to this defining moment: “I’m sharing Indigenous culture, all of which was taught to me by my parents, grandparents, and community.”
CKLB asked if she had any advice for other young Indigenous women, aspiring to make a difference in their community.
“There are so many lessons in failure,” says Baryluk. “I’m doing some amazing things in my career, but there was a lot of failure along the way, and if I stopped at that first failure, I wouldn’t be doing the things that I am.”
“Be true to who you are, and do the work respectfully; you can’t even imagine where you will be or what you will be doing.”
For 21 years, the organization has celebrated a total of 1,628 influential women.
Sherri Stevens is the owner and CEO of the Women’s Executive Network.
“This year’s winners embody that power, giving us hope when we need it most, setting new bars and changing the status quo. They are legends celebrated not just for the things they do, but also how they touch the lives of others,” says Stevens in a press release.
A gala dinner will be hosted at the Fairmont Royal York Toronto to honor the award recipients on November 27th.
