Manoomin – Being in relationship with “the food that grows on water”

November 10th, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Join us this winter for our annual Winter Water Talks webinar series! Webinars are co-hosted by the Water Action Volunteers Program and the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network Program.

WEBINAR DESCRIPTION

Kathleen Smith and Esiban Parent from the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission will discuss the biology, life cycle, and cultural significance of manoomin (wild rice). Manoomin is a large, aquatic grass that grows in shallow waters across Wisconsin, especially in the northern counties. Kathleen and Esiban will also cover the process of harvesting manoomin and an overview of the steps to process the harvest.

SPEAKERS

Esiban Parent is a tribal member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Nation, where he grew up. Early in life he harvested and processed Manoomin using traditional methods, forming a good relationship with the being, Manoomin. He currently works at the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission as Manoomin Wiidookaage – One Who Helps the Manoomin. 

Kathleen Smith is an enrolled member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and serves as Genawendang Manoomin, “She who takes care of the wild rice” for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. She supports wild rice stewardship across 11 member Tribes in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, integrating Ojibwe knowledge with modern science to protect and enhance Manoomin while upholding treaty rights.