Serving up wild game elk and bison, Espanola is now home to its first traditional Indigenous restaurant and catering business.
Nala and Leon Morningstar opened Morningstar Catering in early October after spending four years catering and running a food truck on the Island’s powwow trail.
“For years, I catered fresh foods, but we wanted a restaurant that focused on the agriculture of the area with local ingredients and a style of food based on what we grew up on and what our grandmothers made,” Nala Morningstar said.
Morningstar Catering offers customers staples like fry bread and corn soup, along with powwow favourites like scone dogs and burgers.
Nala is originally from Birch Island, while Leon hails from Mississaugi First Nation near Blind River.
Nala studied culinary at Collège Boréal and then catered as her “side hustle” while putting herself through schooling for social work with two kids in post-secondary school.
“It was an extra income for me and I got to discover pre-contact meals with a modern twist,” she said.
Nala said she is fortunate to have a lot of Leon’s family recipes gifted to her as well.
The 60-seater restaurant was originally a Country Style Donut shop years ago.
At lunch, the Morningstar Catering has become a hub for youth at the neighbouring Espanola High School.
“The students come in for lunch,” Nala said. “It’s a safe space with burgers and fries, and we make sure that even if kids cannot afford their meal, they don’t leave hungry.”
The Morningstars have received many generous donations to keep that effortr going, including an anonymous donation of $10,000 for their Nadamooshin: A Meal with Heart Program to assist students.
“It’s heartwarming for me, the staff and my customers to see what we are creating here in Espanola in such a short time,” Nala said.
She also prepares catered lunches in the high school. She’s gotten to know the staff, the students and will be taking on a few co-operative education students in the new year who are interested in culinary.
Nala said the feedback has been great with reviews and more catering business being generated everyday. She said people are bringing their families who have moved down south when they visit as everyone is keen on supporting local.
The restaurant also provides an opportunity to educate people, she said.
“Patrons come in wondering what we are all about,” Nala said. “We educate them about the history of Indigenous cuisine along with culture.”
She said with many Indigenous people losing their culture over time, many people come in to return to their roots and feel a strong sense of belonging at Morningstar Catering.
“There is no separation here. No divisiveness. It’s just a sense of togetherness,” she said.
The Morningstars will take a much-needed break between Dec. 20 and Jan. 4 to focus on rest, rejuvenation and some restaurant renovations.
“We don’t want to play the game to see how much we can stress ourselves out because this is an all family affair with our six kids working here, too, and assisting as counter staff, dishwashers and prep cooks,” Nala said.
Morningstar Restaurant is located at 111 Centre St. in Espanola. The new hours of operation commencing Jan. 5 are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The weekend hours are 9 a.m.-12 p.m. for the buffet.
Learn more on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Anastasia Rioux is a writer in Greater Sudbury. Let’s Eat! is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.