Manoomin
Manoomin is wild rice, the good berry. The food that is the “portal to the traditional homelands” became the main staple for the Anishinaabe who migrated long ago from the east. This plant fulfilled the Migration Story prophesies of the “food that grows on water” that would signify where to end their travels. Traditionally rice is harvested in August, which is called manoominike-giizis (Ricing Moon), and into September.
The videos here are from the 2010 Wild Rice Camp, hosted in part by the Native Wild Rice Coalition, the Lac Vieux Desert tribe, and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. The first few videos show the making and use of the tools needed for ricing and the others show, in order, the processing of the rice.
Making Ricing Sticks
Wild Rice – Push Poles
Wild Rice – Using Push Poles
Wild Rice – Drying the Rice
Wild Rice – Parching the Rice
Wild Rice – Dancing The Rice
Wild Rice – Winnowing The Rice