Shane Chartrand: Cultural Custodian, Chef, Storyteller & Trailblazer in Indigenous Cuisine – MBC Radio
December 16, 2025
Shane Chartrand is more than a chef; he is a storyteller, cultural ambassador, and trailblazer in Indigenous cuisine. His work spans television, literature, and culinary innovation, connecting tradition with contemporary practice.
Chartrand is a proud member of the Enoch Cree Nation. Born Shane “St. John” Gordon, he was placed in foster care as a young child before being adopted by Belinda (Mi’kmaw-British) and Dennis Chartrand (Métis). Growing up on their acreage in Central Alberta, he learned hunting, fishing, gardening, and land stewardship – early experiences that shaped his culinary philosophy and deep respect for Indigenous food traditions.
Chartrand began working in kitchens at age 16, washing dishes at a truck-stop diner. By 17, he was cooking professionally. He later trained at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), earning Red Seal certification, and went on to work in Edmonton’s top kitchens, including fine-dining hotels and restaurants such as Hotel Macdonald, Sutton Place, and the River Cree Resort & Casino.
