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Connecting Lakehead University Students with Thunder Bay's Rich History.
Wild Rice was at the heart of Ojibwa longevity.
The importance of wild rice within Ojibwa culture dates back to prehistory. Few us of us are
truly aware of its importance and significance.
Were you aware that Wild Rice grows right here at Lakehead University campus? Its true,
next time you are walking by Lake Tamblyn, take a closer look...its there!
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To the Ojibwa, wild rice was more than simply food.
The importance of Wild Rice to Ojibwa peoples dates back to our pre history. Even so, few people
are aware of its significance. Ojibwa peoples have elevated Manomin above being simply food. It is considered a sacred food
which is harvested, processed and eaten with a deep respect and reverence. Wild rice is deeply embedded in the mythology
and ceremony of the Ojiba people.
Wild rice offered a source of Food Security in insecure times.
Enthographers observed, in the first half of the century, that the Ojibwa people increased their
numbers considerably during the past two hundred years. All of this during a time that other communities suffered gruesome
decimations.
Pictured below is Harvested wild rice (photo courtesy of allgreatcreatures.org)
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Above: Wild rice flourishing in its natural habitat (photo courtesy of Canadianwildrice.ca)
A grain known by two names.
The name given to wild rice is Manomin. A word that derives from the Manitou (the name of the great Spirit),
and Meenum ( which means delicacy). It is the only grain that is native to North America, and has remained a significant part
of the sacred traditional substinance of the Ojibwa people for the past three centuries. Manomin is rich in protein, potassium.
magnesium and many vitamins.
European Settlement and other issues have effected wild rice distribution
patterns.
Europeans signifacntly changed the landscape of Canada with the introduction of a market economy and
organized agricutlural efforts. This dramatically decreased the amount of wild rice within North America. A sensitive
plant, which can not withstand pollution or even minor alrterations to its growing environment, wild rice is no longer prominent.
However, Northwester Ontario, including Thunder Bay is still home to wild Rice.
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