As we celebrate National Native American Heritage Month, it’s important to highlight the journey of those individuals who have honored their heritage while creating opportunities and uplifting their communities. One remarkable story is the experience of Denella Belin, a Navajo entrepreneur from Tuba City, Arizona. Becoming the first in her family to attain a college degree, own a home, and achieve independence outside of her reservation, she transformed from a shy individual into a successful businesswoman. Her journey highlights the resilience and creativity of Native American culture, serving as an inspirational example of perseverance and growth.
Embracing Her Heritage Through Food
Denella’s passion for her Native American heritage drives her culinary creations. Her culinary story began with her working in various restaurants. She recalls seeing the lead chef of a fine dining restaurant working one day, and that was a moment of inspiration for her. “I told myself, ‘I want to do that, I want to be that,’” Denella said. She enrolled in culinary school without much prior experience, driven by a desire to be the best and create dishes that represented her Navajo culture.
Photo: Chef Danella Belin (Diné) of Nella’s Kreations at the Flavors of Arizona Event
Denella’s culinary journey is steeped in tradition, using indigenous ingredients to craft visually stunning and culturally significant dishes. After years of working in various restaurants and eventually becoming a sous chef, Denella made a bold decision to leave her job of 15 years to fully pursue her entrepreneurial dreams by opening Nella’s Innovative Kreations. Denella’s approach to cooking is centered around storytelling rather than just food. She highlights the importance of showcasing Native American culture and flavors to inspire younger generations to value and connect with their heritage.
Achievements and Impact
Since launching her business, Denella has achieved several significant milestones in her career as an entrepreneur. Taking advantage of all opportunities that have come her way, she was invited to participate in Project Dream Catcher. This program from ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management provides strategic business skills and support to Native American women. Denella reflected on the program’s profound impact on her, sharing, “I embraced the leadership. I embraced the knowledge, I embraced the program, and I definitely embraced the other Native American women that I met.” This experience enriched her leadership skills and fostered strong connections with other Native American women, creating a supportive and empowering community.
Denella’s journey continued to flourish with significant opportunities. She was selected as the caterer for a three-day summit hosted by the Grand Canyon Trust, a project that allowed her to invest in her growing business. Additionally, she was the featured chef at the Phoenix Indian Center’s Silver and Turquoise Ball, an event that raised over $17,000 for the local Native American community.
Addressing Community Needs
Denella is not only focused on her success, he is also deeply committed to improving her community’s food systems. She recognizes the challenges in food distribution in the Navajo Nation, so she is working on a solution to provide fresh and nutritious options to her community while introducing an educational piece to it. Her vision is to teach the value of traditional foods, reduce waste and collaborate with local farmers to provide healthier alternatives. Essentially, the heart of her mission is committed to preserving and promoting indigenous culinary traditions by sharing the richness of Native American cuisine.
Empowering Native American Entrepreneurs
Denella’s inspiring journey as an entrepreneur embodies the strength of resiliency, leadership and cultural pride. As she grows her business, she remains focused on inspiring other Native American entrepreneurs to follow their dreams. Either through her work at Nella’s Innovative Kreations or her collaborations with other Indigenous organizations, Denella is paving the way for a new generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs.
This National Native American Heritage Month, we’re celebrating not just Denella’s personal achievements, but also the positive impact she’s making within the Native American community. By sharing her story, we hope to encourage others to explore and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous communities and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives them. Denella’s journey is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see her continue to elevate Indigenous cuisine and make a lasting difference in her community.
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