Posts Tagged ‘Ingebretsen’
Sámi Day at Ingebretsen”'s
By Rosalie Sundin One of the original indigenous cultures of the Arctic are the Sámi people (formerly referred to as Laplanders.)  Their original “Sapmi” homeland extended westward from the Kola peninsula of Russia, across Finland, to the Atlantic coast of Norway, and from edge of the polar seas southward through central Norway and Sweden.  Over the centuries, as Scandinavian settlers and hunters moved further and further north, the Sámi people lost much of their southern lands. Today Sapmi extends across northern Norway, Finland, northernmost Sweden and the Russian Kola peninsula. Every year Ingebretsen”'s “Sámi Day” celebration is co-hosted by Twin Cities members of the “Sámi Siida of North America,” an association of descendants of Sámi immigrants from throughout the U.S. and Canada. We welcome everyone to join us, for an opportunity to learn about and share in our Sámi culture, traditions and arts -- and perhaps to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions many have about the Sámi people. Kurt Seaberg, a nationally recognized Sámi-American artist (and expert on Sami culture and history) will start the day, followed by Tim Frandy from the U of W-Madison”'s Scandinavian Studies department, who will share his translations of “noaidi” (shaman) folk tales. They will be followed by a demonstration on how to make traditional Sámi “tinwire” bracelets. Siida members with expertise in researching Sámi genealogy will also be on hand to answer questions throughout the day. We hope you will join us to celebrate our ancient Sámi culture in our lavvu (tent) on December 1st at Ingebretsen”'s!
Searching ”“ A Serial Novelle Chapter 22: “For whatever might come”
By Patrick Cabello Hansel By the time they reached Ingebretsen”'s there was a line out the store, down the block in front of the poster collective and La Que Buena, all the way around the corner on 17th. Angel”'s Mom and Dad decided to go to the Mercado Central rather than wait in line, but Angel and Luz were curious to see what this great fuss was about. When they got to the end of the line, they stood behind an elderly couple, holding hands and smiling. The woman nodded at them and said something that sounded to Angel like “Lotten barn in”. There was that word again: lotten. He had heard it from the strange man in the park; the waitress at Maria”'s had told him it meant “Let”. Let the barn in?” Angel thought. What is that supposed to mean? The woman noticed the perplexed look on Angel”'s face and said, “Don”'t worry; it”'s an old Santa Lucia day blessing. You two do know it”'s Santa Lucia Day, don”'t you?” “Yes!” Luz said, “That”'s why we”'re here! But what are all these people doing in line?” she asked. “Buying lutefisk, my dear”, the older gentleman said. “Lutefisk?” Angel said. “What is lutefisk?” He was beginning to tire from so many foreign words. (more…)
“Lutecorn,” “lutecream,” and “lutefish””¦ The Myth of the Lye-processed Cod fish is exposed bathed in butter
by Carsten Smith It is Lutefisk Tasting Day at Ingebretsen”'s Scandinavian Gifts. Customers who come in for Swedish meatballs and bakery products cautiously accept a sample from Diane Noble, an Ingebretsen”'s employee in a traditional Swedish costume. They take a sample in a small paper cup and stab the white fish in butter with a toothpick. Gingerly nibbling, they gradually realize that they are not dealing with a biohazard or toxic substance. “That”'s not bad. What is all the fuss about?” is the usual response. Some customers decide to buy some lutefisk and take it home. Others are content to know what the food that is often the butt of jokes really tastes like. Lutefisk means “fish in lye” and for generations of families in the Scandinavia, it was a steady supply of protein during the long winter months. In the United States, it is a Christmas tradition for many Scandinavian-Americans. But since the lutefisk tasting at Ingebretsen”'s didn”'t result in people running screaming from the store, why all the jokes and reputation so bad that Andrew Zimmern filmed an episode of Bizarre Foods at the store? “To be fair, the way lutefisk was processed years ago smelled pretty bad,” says Chris Dorff, president of Olsen Foods in north Minneapolis. Olsen Foods is the largest lutefisk processor in North America, making and selling 500,000 pounds a year. A large portion of that goes to Ingebretsen”'s. The traditional method was to catch cod in nets from February to April. The fish were then skinned, deboned, and hung outside on racks to dry. The combination of cold air and bright sun were just right for quickly drying fillets and preserving them to a board-like consistency. People were then able to safely keep the fish for months and insure a steady supply of protein for their families. When a cook was ready to use the fish, it had to be reconstituted. Because soaking in water alone [...]
Latino Reflections on Lake Street
Interview by Alexandra Renken, university of Minnesota Student of Joyce Wisdom, Executive Director of Lake Street Council What broad transformations have you seen occur with Latino businesses on Lake Street (as a result of Lake Street resurfacing, city ordinances, etc.)? Just to be clear, it was not a resurfacing road project, but a once-every-50-years project that included replacing water, gas and electrical lines beneath the street. The street was dug out to the bottom, removing old cobblestones and rail track that had been buried for decades. While Lake Street was always open one-lane in each direction, there was no parking and huge holes to traverse from one side of the road to the other. Ethnic businesses of all kinds fared better than most others during our recent road construction because of their customer loyalty. That held true for Ingebretsen”'s Scandinavian customers as well as Saigon Garage”'s Southeast Asian customers, but perhaps not so strongly for the Mercado and other Lake Street Latino businesses. Since road construction, business has improved despite the recession. Unfortunately, now the cost of doing business has risen and all businesses, but especially many of our Latino businesses, are finding it harder to increase their revenue to match the increased expenses. Regarding City ordinances and fees, Lake Street Council has worked diligently with City staff and elected officials to change City ordinances that negatively impact our small business community and especially our Latino and other ethnic businesses. One example is hours of operation. Several of our Latino eateries have applied for variances to serve their 24 hour clientele. Not everyone works a 9 to 5 job. Another is our support of businesses like El Nuevo Rodeo and La Vina. Dance and social halls have been mainstays of every new immigrant”'s experience, going back to Scandinavian, Greek, German and every other major immigration to Minneapolis. Why [...]
