The Franklin G. Burroughs – Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach will present the “Food for Thought Lecture Series” this summer as companion programming to the exhibit Feast Your Eyes | Celebrating the Food of the South. On July 12, Dr. Will Goins will talk about Native American foodways in South Carolina in a program titled “Native Roots, Healing Roots.” South Carolina Humanities supported this program with a Mini Grant in April 2017.
In the program “Native Roots, Healing Roots,” Dr. Goins will demonstrate that the first step to understanding the unique cuisine of the South is to recognize the important food contributions of the indigenous people of the region when the Europeans first came into contact with Native Americans. From barbecue to grits and more, the stamp of Native American foodways is indelible on what we now regard as southern cooking traditions. In our collective histories, native foods and plants have played an important role in nourishing, as well as healing, body and soul.
Dr. Will Goins, Chief of the Cherokee Indian Tribe of South Carolina-ECSIUT, has dedicated his life to preserving, presenting and performing Native American culture and traditions. He weaves the ancient past, its mythology and the present with dramatic narratives, dance and song. He is also a noted champion cook and has published a South Carolina Native American cookbook. For years, Goins has been passionately involved with the American Indian Educational Program, working specifically with K-12 students, and has also worked in higher education in various universities and colleges. He is presently a part of the SC Humanities Speaker’s Bureau and currently serves as the Chair of the Interfaith Partners of South Carolina as the Native American spirituality representative for this statewide organization. He is a former president of the South Carolina Traditional Arts Network. Goins was presented with South Carolina’s Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award in 2008.
The Franklin G. Burroughs – Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum is located at 3100 South Ocean Blvd. in Myrtle Beach. “Native Roots, Healing Roots” is free and open to the public, but registration is required. More information can be found on the website or by calling 843-238-2510.
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c) 3 organization is governed by a volunteer 21-member Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and/or supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually.
