Excerpt from ANISHINAABE MANOOMIN GENAWENIMAAJIG
This guidebook shares teachings from Manoomin knowledge holders on healing relationships with Manoomin. The guidebook is intended for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Manoomin harvesters, stewards, and other relatives who would like to learn from each other about the gifts Manoomin shares with us all. The guidebook is one outcome of a broader research project and 2-year interview study that was guided by tribal and intertribal agency partners who dedicate themselves to protecting and restoring Manoomin (Ojibwemowin word for Psiη in Dakota, wild rice in English), nibi (Ojibwemowin word for mni in Dakota, water in English), and all relatives. The project proposal team originally included representatives from Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, 1854 Treaty Authority, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, College of Menominee Nation, Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, USDA Forest Service Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, The Nature Conservancy, University of Minnesota, and Wisconsin Sea Grant, but grew over time to include 35 tribal, intertribal, and non-tribal organizations. The project culminated in a Manoomin Psiη Knowledge Symposium on November 13-15, 2023, in which more than 350 knowledge holders gathered to honor tribal sovereignty and Manoomin through sharing food, language, stories, science, practices, and visions for a reciprocal future.
One of several activities of the project partnership was to conduct an interview study. The interview study explores Manoomin, Manoomin knowledge holders’, and Manoomin harvesters’ teachings for healing relationships with Manoomin. The study was requested by tribal partners and directed by natural resource department staff with tribal and intertribal agencies in collaboration with two academic institution researchers (Mae Davenport, University of Minnesota and Deidre Peroff, Wisconsin Sea Grant) and a non-government organization researcher (Kristen Blann, The Nature Conservancy).The University of Minnesota research team, made up of an environmental social scientist, graduate students, and undergraduate students, gathered with Manoomin, Manoomin harvesters, and Manoomin knowledge holders (here forth, knowledge holders), either in person or virtually, to learn about Manoomin relationships. The knowledge holders guided the discussion, sharing stories, beliefs, fears, and hopes for the future. The authors and curators of this guidebook identify Manoomin as a knowledge holder because Manoomin is a teacher. Our cultural advisor, Kathy Chosa Smith reminds us, “Manoomin speaks through us.” Interviews took place in 2023 with 17 knowledge holders following institutional and cultural protocol. Responsible and respectful research protocol was deliberated, documented, practiced, and monitored in many ways with the project team.