Honoring Native American Heritage Month: Zachery Krebbs

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the deep cultural roots and contributions of Native American communities. As we honor this heritage, it’s important to acknowledge how Native traditions have always valued nourishment, wellness, and care for others—principles that are reflected in our work today. The month serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and sharing the stories, languages, and wisdom of Indigenous communities.

“My name is Zachery Krebbs, and I’ve been part of the Eurest family for the past five years, spending most of my time perfecting my grill skills. I’m currently a high-velocity grill cook at a large corporation in Omaha, Nebraska. What I love most about working here is the chance to connect with our guests and the constant opportunities to learn and grow.

“My Native American heritage comes from my father’s side. His mother was 100% Native American from the Winnebago tribe, though my dad didn’t grow up knowing his father. He was born on the Winnebago reservation but was adopted as a baby by a family in Omaha. Before I was born, my dad reconnected with his birth mother, which sparked a journey of rediscovery—for both him and our family.

“Much of my dad’s learning about his heritage involved me and my siblings. Every few months, we’d visit a different reservation to spend time with our relatives, attend powwows, experience traditional Native American funerals, and explore the beautiful land that holds so much history.

“For me, this part of my upbringing has become a source of deep nostalgia. It instilled in me a love for adventure, rooted in the natural beauty of reservation lands. My siblings and I make it a point to stay connected to our Native heritage, whether it’s visiting the Winnebago reservation, embracing the outdoors, or maintaining ties with our extended family. We also try to keep our traditions alive by attempting to recreate fry bread tacos or succotash like Dad used to make, and attending powwows whenever we can.”