Bay Mills Indian Community joins Michigan DNR in effort to restore manoomin

The Bay Mills Indian Community is the latest tribe to partner with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to restore manoomin, a wild rice native to the Great Lakes, according to WCMU. The collaboration supports tribes across the Midwest through seed sharing, access to waterways and guidance on ethically sourced seeds. BMIC President Whitney Gravelle said manoomin holds cultural significance and is tied to traditional practices and treaty rights.

Gravelle said wild rice is a keystone species and reflects the health of the surrounding environment. Tribes and the Michigan DNR host manoomin camps that teach community members about the rice from scientific and traditional perspectives. Gravelle said restoring manoomin is part of reestablishing traditional food resources and maintaining an Indigenous way of life for future generations.