Our 2026 Family Foodways series at Keep Growing Detroit begins with a celebration of shared roots across the Indigenous diaspora. In this cooking class, we explore the deep cultural connections between Rosebud’s Native/Mexican American, Angela’s Taíno/Boricua, and Danielle’s Filipino food traditions—three cultures shaped by colonization, migration, resilience, and the power of ancestral kitchens.

We’ll demonstrate the preparation of and taste variations of beloved wrapped foods that tell stories across generations: Mexican-style tamales with rich mole or vibrant salsa, and Filipino-inspired tamales flavored with coconut, peanut butter, and achiote. Due to the process of making Boricua pasteles, we will not be demonstrating the entire process of making pasteles. However, as is tradition, we may do a community gathering to make pasteles later this year. Stay tuned.

Although each dish comes from a different cultural lineage, they share common threads and the collective ritual of gathering to cook.

We are asking attendees to RSVP due to limited space and to ensure there's enough for everyone to have a small tasting.

Cook, taste, and connect as we honor the flavors and traditions that link our family roots across the Indigenous diaspora and kick off another year of Family Foodways experiences with Keep Growing Detroit.