In a time where modern science often feels far removed from traditional ways of life, one remarkable teenager is proving that the two can walk hand in hand—and even heal together.
Destany “Sky” Pete, a member of the Shoshone and Paiute Tribes from the Duck Valley Indian Reservation straddling the Idaho-Nevada border, made headlines with a discovery that is as inspiring as it is groundbreaking. Her journey began not in a laboratory, but in the heart of her community’s stories—stories about health, loss, and an old recipe nearly forgotten: toishabui, or chokecherry pudding.
A Taste of the Past, a Glimpse of Hope
Sky grew up hearing about traditional foods and how their absence might be connected to rising health problems in her community. Among those traditions was toishabui, a pudding made from chokecherries—once a staple among her ancestors. Some elders spoke of its benefits, including whispers of its ability to support health and even fend off illness.
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Motivated by both curiosity and compassion, Sky wanted to know: was there any truth to the idea that this pudding might be more than just a dish of the past? Could it actually heal?
A Scientific Partnership Rooted in Culture
Sky didn’t stop at tradition. She wanted proof. Teaming up with Dr. Ken Cornell, a cancer researcher and biochemistry professor at Boise State University, she embarked on a scientific journey. Together, they tested four types of chokecherry preparations on uterine sarcoma cancer cells.
The results stunned them.
Out of all the samples, only the traditional preparation of toishabui—made with crushed chokecherry pits—had a dramatic effect. Within 24 hours, the cancer cells began to die. The pits, once considered unimportant or even discarded, turned out to hold the key.
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What had been dismissed as folklore was now standing tall under the microscope.
Culture Meets Chemistry
This finding wasn’t just a personal victory for Sky—it was a cultural and scientific breakthrough. By showing that a traditional Indigenous food had measurable effects on cancer cells, Sky helped bridge two worlds: ancestral wisdom and modern biomedicine.
She didn’t just ask the right question—she honored a legacy while seeking answers. And she was rewarded. In 2017, her project won First Grand Prize at the Elko County Science Fair in Nevada, beating more than 440 other entries. But perhaps more importantly, she reignited a conversation about the value of traditional knowledge in modern health research.
What’s Next for Sky—and For Us?
Sky has no plans to stop. Her next steps include testing the pudding’s effects on other cancer cell types and over longer durations. This could pave the way for further studies, deeper collaborations, and perhaps one day, the integration of traditional foods into evidence-based cancer treatments.
But the message goes beyond the lab.
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Sky’s story reminds us that health isn’t always about discovering something new—it’s about remembering what we’ve forgotten. In a world quick to favor the synthetic and the cutting-edge, there’s wisdom in looking back. Indigenous traditions, often overlooked or undervalued, may hold the keys to better health, resilience, and healing.
Honoring the Earth, Honoring Ourselves
Toishabui isn’t just pudding. It’s a symbol—a sweet, powerful reminder that nature, culture, and science aren’t opposing forces. They’re partners in the human story. And when we listen to the voices of those who came before us, we may find that some of the answers we seek were always with us, waiting to be rediscovered.
As Sky Pete continues her journey, her work lights the way—not only for Indigenous youth, but for everyone seeking healing rooted in heritage, and progress grounded in respect.
Fascinating Reading of a Beautiful Truth. Our Heavenly Father God loves to speak truth and healing to us. When we ask Him. He wants us to be healed and He gives us the keys to that. All cultures have these answers. We choose to listen or not. Thanks again for this valuable lesson.