Did you know?
To add to your appreciation of Manoomin here is an excerpt from the “Declaration for Protecting Anishinaabe Manoomin” .
Anishinaabe Manoomin (Zizania palustris, Northern Wild Rice) is an indigenous plant found only in the Great Lakes and Boreal Forest regions of Turtle Island (North America). Manoomin (“mi-no-min”) is an ecologically important species to the lakes and marshlands in this region. Manoomin beds provide habitat for countless species, as a nursery for fish, a staging ground for waterfowl, and a food source for many aquatic species, such as mammals, birds and insects.
Anishinaabeg have an oral history of Manoomin extending back more than 10,000 years in this territory and the archaeological record also shows a history of Manoomin in the Kawartha region dating back four thousand years. However, Manoomin has rapidly declined in the past century due to environmental changes caused by flooding since the construction of the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) and continued fluctuations to water levels. The decline of Manoomin is also due to pollution from development along shorelines, agricultural run-off, septic tank leakage, motorboat emissions, use of herbicides, foreign and invasive species, federally permitted dredging and the un-permitted removal of Manoomin. The resurgence of Manoomin indicates Nibi (Water) is returning to better health. The revitalization of Manoomin will support a sustainable ecosystem for Anishinaabeg, local residents and seasonal visitors.
Manoomin has nourished Anishinaabeg for millennia and newcomers for centuries. The Manoomin beds in this territory are heritage sites of remarkable importance. Many Anishinaabeg Elders, harvesters and other community members have worked for decades to revitalize relationships with Manoomin through restoration initiatives and community-based education. This work will ensure continued access to sustainable and nutritious local food sources in this territory for generations to come.
