Manoomin: Michigan's Native Grain
House Hearing for HB 4852 to designate Manoomin as the State Native Grain, 9/12/2023
on Nov. 8, 2023 this bill passed the House and referred to Senate Committee on Local Govt. on Nov. 9
House Reps who voted against the bill: Beeler, Greene, Maddock, Rigas, Beson, Harris, Martin, Schuette, Cavity, Hadley, Meerman, Slaugh, DeBoyer, Johnson, Posthumus, Smit, Fink, Lightner, Prestin, St Germaine, Friske
There is no sound for the first 20 seconds.
00:27 Rep Rheingans introduces HB 4852 which is followed by testimony from:
03:22 Nichole Biber, Treasurer of The Anishinaabek Caucus of the MDP, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
09:45 Nat Spurr, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi
31:10 Barbara Barton, Endangered species biologist and author of "The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan"
40:40 Roger LaBine, Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Michigan Manoomin (Wild Rice) is as historically synonymous with Anishinaabek culture in the Great Lakes region as wigwams or the oral tradition.
SB 802 (2022) - "Manoomin (Zizania palustris and Zizania aquatica), also known as Michigan wild rice, is designated as the official native grain of this state. Let it be known that Manoomin is a sacred and important component to many wetlands and has a cultural significance to the indigenous people of this state."
Manoomin Letter of Support (11/30/2020)
HB 6323 (2020)- designate Manoomin as the official Native Grain of Michigan
MI.GOV
Great Lakes Marsh and Inland Emergent Wetlands - mention of wild rice as ecologically important
Status of the fisheries in the Michigan waters of the Lake Erie and Lake St Clair - implied inportance of wild rice to normal fisheries
ARTICLES
Advocates hope White Earth wild rice case will boost 'rights of nature', 9/1/21
Enbridge’s Line 3 Is Putting Wild Rice at Risk—and Indigenous Water Protectors Are Taking a Stand, 3/18/21
The True Story of Wild Rice, North America’s Most Misunderstood Grain, 8/6/19
Manoomin: Michigan’s spiritual wild rice, Barbara Barton, 7/12/18
Conveners of Responsibilites, Kyle Powys Whyte, PhD, (9/30/13)
RESOURCES
Native Wild Rice Coalition (organizes Manoomin camps)
Wild Rice in Michigan, Barbara Barton, Roger LaBine
Restoring and Monitoring Lake Superior Coastal Wetland Manoomin
Manoomin The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan, Barbara Barton
WHERE TO BUY MANOOMIN
The effects of the Kalamazoo River disaster
