GYOPO X SSI YA GI
Korean and Ohlone Story-Sharing Supper
November 3rd, 2022 ~ Cafe Ohlone
Ssi Ya Gi shares senior immigrant stories about food. We do this because storytelling bridges geographical distance, eludes time and returns us home. When we listen to an elder’s story, we form a relationship with them; we build solidarity and empathy for those around us.
Through conversations about the plants and animals that the foods are made of, and the ways in which our peoples prepared the food, we gain a deeper understanding of our culture and heritage. We connect with each other and become better stewards of the lands upon which we live.
Throughout the meal, we shared stories of the ingredients and foods that were eaten, some from the elders who sat with us that evening and whose memories have been illustrated by talented artists and made into zines.
On the evening of November 3rd, we brought together Korean seniors from the Oakland area while Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino invited seniors and family members of the Ohlone tribe. We all gathered at Cafe Ohlone to present a meal consisting of shared ingredients from both our cultures as well as shared stories from both our complicated histories and storied pasts.
Special thanks to Vincent, Louis, Dee, and the Cafe Ohlone family for hosting this wonderful event and to our co-host GYOPO. We could not have done this event without our community, the volunteers and the talented chefs who contributed so much of their time and talents:
Jee Kim of Jee’s Kimchi
So Young of Rice and Cake
Namu Farm + Second Generation Seeds
This project was made possible by generous funding through GYOPO from KACFSF and honors the lasting legacy of Myung Soo "Mary" Kim
Photos by Hardy Wilson
