UA Little Rock to Host Chef Sean Sherman for Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lecture Series

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will welcome world-renowned chef, author, and Indigenous food systems advocate Chef Sean Sherman to Little Rock for a series of events on Oct. 21-22 as part of the Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lecture Series.

Sherman, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking work in revitalizing and reimagining Indigenous foodways. Sherman’s events will explore the intersections of food, culture, sustainability, and community health. All events are free and open to the public, though registration is encouraged by visiting this website. 

The two-day program begins Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at UA Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave., with “Our Food Systems: A Community Conversation.” Cory Babb, chef and owner of Firelight Farm in Searcy, and Sylvia Blain, chief executive officer of Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, will join Sherman for a conversation about the politics of local foodways. Locally sourced hors d’oeuvres will be served.

The conversation, moderated by Jack Sundell, owner of the Root Café in Little Rock, will take place alongside a new exhibit at UA Little Rock Downtown. The exhibit, “Native (Mis)representations,” examines harmful stereotypes of American Indians and Alaska Natives through materials from the Hirschfelder-Molin Native American Stereotypes Collection. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, can be seen from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at UA Little Rock Downtown through Jan. 30, 2026. 

“The Hirschfelder-Molin Native American Stereotypes Collection was donated to the Sequoyah National Research Center in 2012 by Arlene Hirschfelder and Paulette Fairbanks Molin (White Earth Ojibwe),” said Erin Fehr, assistant director and archivist at the Sequoyah National Research Center. “These two women spent 40 years collecting the more than 1,500 items in the collection to raise awareness of the harmful and lasting impacts of stereotypes on Native peoples.”

On Oct. 22 at 1 p.m., Sherman will lead participants on an “Interactive Foraging Journey with Chef Sherman” starting at the Sequoyah National Research Center in the Fine Arts Building at UA Little Rock. Together with Dr. Maureece Levin, assistant professor of anthropology, and her students in the Plants and People class, Sherman will guide attendees through an exploration of edible plants on UA Little Rock’s campus, followed by an outdoor cooking demonstration. Bo Brown, an author, songbird biologist, and forager specializing in the plants of the Ozarks, will join Sherman during this event.

Sherman’s keynote lecture, “The (R)evolution of Indigenous Foodways,” will take place Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Ave. Moderated by Fehr, Sherman will share his journey of rediscovering and elevating Native American culinary traditions and discuss how Indigenous food systems are shaping a more equitable and sustainable future.

Sherman’s impact extends far beyond the kitchen. His nonprofit NATIFS works to make Native foods more accessible while addressing health disparities and economic challenges in Indigenous communities. His restaurant, Owamni by The Sioux Chef, was named the 2022 James Beard Award winner for Best New Restaurant in America. His acclaimed book, “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen,” won the James Beard Award for Best American Cookbook in 2018. In 2023, he was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and received the Julia Child Award for culinary activism and innovation.

UA Little Rock administrators said the series of events reflects the university’s mission to connect Arkansans with globally relevant conversations.

“Chef Sherman’s work highlights how food connects us to our past while shaping our future,” said Dr. Jess Porter, executive director of the Center for Arkansas History and Culture. “By bringing him to Little Rock, we are creating space for meaningful dialogue about culture, sustainability, and resilience that benefits both our campus and the broader community.”

The Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lecture Series, established in 1972, honors the legacy of Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller by bringing nationally recognized speakers to University of Arkansas campuses. The series enriches the cultural and intellectual life of Arkansans by fostering discussion, sparking new ideas, and promoting lifelong learning.

For more information about the events, contact the UA Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture at [email protected] or 501-320-5780.