By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Traditionally, wild rice \u2014 or manoomin \u2014 is harvested by paddling into shallow waters and gently knocking the ripe grains into the canoe using cedar sticks. It\u2019s a time-honoured practice central to Anishinaabe culture and ceremonies. \u201cThis wild rice is part of our migration story,\u201d said Jyles Copenace, cultural coordinator for Kenora Chiefs Advisory Youth and Family Wellness Camp. \u201cIt ties us to where we ended up in northwestern Ontario and to the Great Lakes.\u201d Historically, manoomin thrived in the shallow waters of lakes and rivers. But hydroelectric production, invasive cattails and climate change have made traditional harvesting difficult. \u201c[Wild rice] used to last a month, but now, because of climate change, the rice becomes brittle and must be harvested… <\/p>\n
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer Traditionally, wild rice \u2014 or manoomin \u2014 is harvested by paddling into shallow waters and gently knocking the ripe grains into the canoe using cedar sticks. It\u2019s a time-honoured practice central to Anishinaabe culture and ceremonies. \u201cThis wild rice is part of our migration story,\u201d said Jyles Copenace, cultural coordinator for Kenora Chiefs Advisory Youth and Family Wellness Camp. \u201cIt ties us to where we ended up in northwestern Ontario and to the Great Lakes.\u201d Historically, manoomin thrived in the shallow waters of lakes and rivers. But hydroelectric production, invasive cattails and climate change have made traditional harvesting difficult. \u201c[Wild rice] used to last a month, but now, because of climate change, the rice becomes brittle and must be harvested... <\/p>\n