LA POINTE, Wis. — A decadelong dream has come true for Ojibwe chef Bryce Stevenson, who opened a restaurant on Madeline Island last season. Located near the ferry dock at 858 Fort Road, Miijim serves traditional Ojibwe fare with a touch of French flair.
With 35 seats, the quaint restaurant fills quickly and gets loud as the energy intensifies each evening. The atmosphere at Miijim is designed to be a little chaotic, Stevenson explained. The walls are decorated with the work of local Indigenous artists, and quick-tempo tribal music fills the air alongside the aroma of each unique dish being served.
“It’s a constant flow of people asking questions, learning and sharing their stories,” said Stevenson, a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. “We have people leaving with smiles on their face and tears sometimes in their eyes because they had an experience that they really couldn’t find anywhere else.” ADVERTISEMENT Since opening May 25, 2023, Miijim has earned Stevenson a James Beard nomination as well as an appearance on the Bravo reality show "Top Chef" as a guest judge on Season 21, Episode 9.
The concept of making Indigenous foods accessible to the general public is gaining momentum with the growing food sovereignty movement of Native American chefs. Miijim means “food” in the Ojibwe language. Similar to the Sioux Chef Sean Sherman’s restaurant Owamni in Minneapolis, you won’t find any gluten, dairy or refined sugar on the menu.
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