One of many stands selling Indian Fry Bread
in front of the church

The end of holy week for the catholic religion resulted in many people visiting San Xavier del Bac Mission affectionately called "The White Dove of the Desert." It is south of Tucson and on the Tohono O'odham land. The church primarily serves the Tohono O'odham but is open to all for tours and services.

As soon as you pull into the parking lot one can immediately smell the Indian Fry bread being made and sold by multiple groups of people in the lot outside of the church.

I was surprised to find out that some of the people making the traditional Native American food had been doing this since they were seven years old. Two women, Caysee and Nita Smith, have continued the tradition of making and selling fry bread that began with their grandmother.

There are many different ways to make fry bread and many different things you can put in it.
The two women made their fry bread with a grill their brother made with a barrel when he was in high school. The ingredients they use are:
salt
flour
lard
powdered milk
baking soda

It is simple to make and rather inexpensive. People commonly put honey and powdered sugar on the bread. Traditionally fry bread is made at every powwow or gathering of Native Americans.


Fry bread was sold for $2 each




Woman making fry bread in grease