Bringing: tradition to the table: Sudbury caterer supplying traditional feasts across Ontario.

• Author: Myers, Ella
• Position: ABORIGINAL BUSINESS

Hiawatha Osawamick grew up helping her mom, grandmother and auntie in the kitchen of the family business on Manitoulin Island.

The red seal chef clearly inherited the cooking gene, and these days you'll find her plating locally sourced duck or "Indian tacos" for events as small as a friendship centre's luncheon, and as large as the Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association's banquet for 500.

From her humble beginnings as a bus girl at Pat's Cafe in Wikwemikong, Osawamick has come a long way, but she hasn't left her traditions behind.

Osawamick runs a growing, high-end catering business based in Wahnapitae First Nation, near Sudbury, that specializes in traditional Indigenous foods.

Osawamick knew she wanted to be a chef from an early age, and the opportunity presented itself when she was working as a server at Casino Rama. She spent her days learning in the kitchen through an apprenticeship offered between the casino and Georgian College, and spent her nights in the dining room serving. Before long, she'd honed her skills enough to be a chef at the casino, and in charge of a new 200-seat buffet restaurant.

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In 2008, Osawamick ventured out on her own, starting her catering business. In the eight years since she started, she has become the "go-to" source of Aboriginal cuisine in Ontario, said Cheryl Recollet, the director of sustainable development at Wahnapitae First Nation, who has used the catering service on several occasions.

Osawamick said there are not many caterers, or even restaurants, in Ontario offering what she does, and as demand is in] creasing, she's gained clients as far south as Toronto.

"She has a niche. It's hard to get this kind of service, I think, even in all of Ontario," said Recollet. "Before this, only a grandma and an auntie would do it, but not necessarily a company who could do it."

Recollet said the service is high: end in quality, but affordable. Osawamick has been able to work within the organization's budget.

Recollet had her cater a five-course meal for Aboriginal Affairs...