In the Know:
For the Love of Manoomin (Wild Rice)
March 2022
Image by Morningstar Derosier
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Episode description
Manoomin (wild rice) grows along the waterways of Northern Turtle Island and has been treasured by Anishinaabe since time immemorial. But in the past hundred years, protecting wild rice has become an increasing concern. Learn more about this sacred food source from manoomin harvesters James Whetung, William Yerxa, and Jana Rae Yerxa.
About James Whetung
Inspired by Harold Perry, whose grandmother carried seeds from Rice Lake to the Mississippi River near Ardock, James Whetung returned home from Ardock's 1982 food security uprising to his community of Curve Lake First Nation determined to restore their wild rice beds, with the ultimate goal of putting the rice back in Rice Lake.
Anishinabek food sovereignty and food security had been eroded by colonial genocidal practices and the health and wealth of the community was suffering.
James met with community elders to learn where their traditional rice beds had been and received their direction to replant their traditional gathering grounds.
Pigeon Lake had been his grandfather's traditional gathering, hunting, and fishing grounds, and he dedicated himself to restoring the then-destroyed ecosystem.
James and his clan (Black Duck) continue to work to restore their hereditary territory and to put the rice back in Rice Lake!
Connect with Black Duck Wild Rice
BlackDuckWildRice.net
About Jana-Rae Yerxa
Jana-Rae Yerxa is Anishinaabe. Her home community is Couchiching First Nation in Treaty #3 territory. She currently resides in Fort Frances, Ontario and is happy to be part of Seven Generations Education Institute as Faculty and Curriculum Developer in Anishinaabe Gikendaasowin.
About William Yerxa
William Yerxa is Anishinaabe from Little Eagle which is now known as Couchiching First Nation. William began ricing when he was 13 years old and has been caring for manoomin for 70 years. He is happy his children and grandchildren know how to care for manoomin.