As the People of the Big Voice, the Ho-Chunk Nation embodies resilience, with voices like Chef Elena Terry leading the way. Through her nonprofit, Wild Bearies, Elena reconnects her community with ancestral culinary traditions. Moreover, Wild Bearies, using food as a means of empowerment, echoes a story of healing, heritage, and hope.
Elena’s Story
Meet Chef Elena Terry, a resilient voice of the Ho-Chunk Nation. As a proud Ho-Chunk woman, Elena has a powerful story rooted in healing and community. She founded Wild Bearies, a nonprofit dedicated to reconnecting individuals with ancestral culinary traditions.
A single mother and survivor of domestic violence, Elena’s journey reflects her vulnerability and realism–qualities often overlooked since colonialism. Through her work, she addresses the immense suffering within her community, using food as a means of empowerment and healing.
Beautiful Beginnings
Wild Bearies started as a family effort, with Elena and her children committing to incorporate one Indigenous ingredient into their weekly meals. They made simple yet meaningful swaps, such as using harvested wild rice instead of white rice and substituting hunted venison for beef.
This simple practice not only transformed their meals but also deepened their connection to their heritage. As they embraced these traditional ingredients, the food began to reflect their cultural identity in beautiful new ways.
Ancestral Adversity
Deeply woven into the identity of the Ho-Chunk Nation is ancestral adversity. The memories of their ancestors are embedded in their very being, shaping their understanding of home and belonging. Despite being forcibly removed sixteen times, they returned seventeen. Thus, reviving traditional culinary practices stirs up those lingering ancestral memories.
This revival is made possible by the resilience of her ancestors, who reclaimed these sacred lands in Wisconsin. For Chef Elena Terry, every element of the holistic food system is crucial for healing and empowerment. Food became the medicine she needed to reconnect with her community after suffering personal hardships.
The tribe has faced its own ongoing challenges, including the devastating impacts of alcoholism, drug abuse, and mental health issues, leading to a persistent cycle of grief within the community. In response, the tribe held meetings, hoping to foster change. Elena actively attended, seeking opportunities and ways to support her people.
Wild Bearies
Determined to break the cycle of adversity, Elena identified a meaningful way to contribute to her community. She recognized the healing power of food–medicine for the Ho-Chunk Nation and Indigenous peoples. Through Wild Bearies, Elena has created a welcoming space for all to participate in something greater, without fear of judgment.
Seeds for Change
Wild Bearies began planting seeds for change. From supporting small community gardens to nurturing the next generation, Elena’s nonprofit quickly grew into a manifold organization with two key groups: Garden Bearies and Baby Bearies.
Garden Bearies soon thereafter sprouted into a space for collaboration and connection. What began with youth gardening alongside their parents blossomed into an incredible program that strengthened ties to Ho-Chunk’s heritage.
In Baby Bearies, youth serve high-end meals, developing critical interpersonal skills and gaining confidence. Establishing both groups, Elena has given the next generation new opportunities–including her daughter, Zoey.
Lead By Example
Together, Elena and Zoey founded Wild Bearies, with a mission to create spaces, especially for young women, and open doors that would otherwise be closed. Zoey and Elena lead by example that dreams can come true. Zoey earned her undergraduate degree in Environmental Sustainability and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Meanwhile, Elena has extended her influence well beyond Wisconsin, competing in Chop and participating in several other renowned culinary competitions like Top Chef. In addition, she has partnered with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival to showcase the culinary arts of Ho-Chunk Nation. To Elena, it’s more than just preparing a dish; it’s about sharing a meal infused with love, intention, and prayers.
Each meal honors those who cultivated corn, harvested wild rice, and hunted game. Every ingredient carries the weight of knowledge and tradition meant for the Ho-Chunk people.
Hope for the Future
Through Wild Bearies, Elena aims to share the history of the Ho-Chunk people as a path to collective healing. Following in the footsteps of her ancestors, who demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience, Elena is committed to embodying that same spirit. It’s her hope that the next generation understands what it truly means to be Ho-Chunk.
Looking ahead, Elena sets out to empower cycle-breakers, foster healing, and create safe spaces for her community. She is dedicated to supporting tribal members in all new ways. Elena envisions a future where the next generation hears her message and proudly embraces their identity as members of the great Ho-Chunk Nation.
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Every Ho-Chunk story resonates with a powerful theme of resilience. Leaders like Chef Elena Terry, through her organization Wild Bearies, play a crucial role in ensuring that the cherished traditions and tales of the Ho-Chunk people endure for generations to come.
Encounter this inspiring journey in the Discover Wisconsin original short, ‘Healing Traditions: Reviving Indigenous Foods with Wild Bearies’ now:
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Hailey Marien: Writer for Discover Mediaworks. A born & bred Wisconsinite with a love for fishing, hunting, and enjoying the great outdoors.
