Labrador Tea Rice Pilaf
Labrador tea (Lidii Masgit) is found throughout the Arctic. The above-ground parts of the plant are commonly used to make a soothing tea or traditional medicine to help treat colds. When harvesting Labrador tea, it is important to take only small amounts from each plant to avoid disrupting their growth. Harvesting with respect and care plays an important role in Gwich’in values and traditions.
Teetlit Gwich’in Language Lesson
Labrador Tea | Lidii masgit
Rice | Daatsoo trin
Onion | Tl'oo drik
INDIGENOUS PRODUCT FEATURE
For this recipe, the Labrador Tea was sourced from Boreal Heartland, an Indigenous-owned and operated company that sustainably harvests products from boreal forest plants.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BOREAL HEARTLAND
"In 2024, I co-founded a company called 'Nihkhah,' which strives to bring Indigenous food, culture, and knowledge into public life. Giving the company a traditional Gwich'in name, I knew the logo should also have great meaning. The logo for Nihkhah is actually the Labrador tea plant, known as Lidii Masgit in the Gwich'in language. The design is stitched to symbolize traditional sewing. Growing up, this plant was always added to tea. It gives a nice earthly flavour. The smell and taste of Labrador tea is definitely a taste of home for me."
- Chef Stephanie
Meet The Chef
Steph Baryluk
Chef Steph Baryluk, a proud Teetl’it Gwich’in from Teetl’it Zheh (Fort McPherson), Treaty 11 Territory, draws deep inspiration from her Arctic upbringing, where hunting, fishing, and land stewardship shaped her connection to food and cultural heritage.
With more than 10 years of experience as a Red Seal Indigenous Chef, Steph is passionate about preserving and sharing Indigenous culinary traditions through education, culinary training, and community engagement.
Named one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2024 and a recipient of the WXN Food Industry Award, Chef Steph is a leader in advancing Indigenous food systems. From community kitchens to the global stage, she combines her culinary expertise with advocacy to inspire future generations while promoting sustainability and celebrating Indigenous cultural heritage.
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