Problem

For the Anishnaabe, a group of culturally related Indigenous peoples in the Great Lakes region, wild rice is a sacred gift from the Creator, deeply woven into their identity, journey, and relationship to the land. It holds great respect within their culture, featuring prominently in dishes, medicines, and ceremonies. Despite this cultural significance, around 50% of the wild rice consumed in Canada is not truly wild but imported from the United States, where it is grown in flooded paddies as cultivated rice.

While these paddies meet high commercial demand, they also contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions - a 10% reduction in emissions from the rice industry would be comparable to removing 10 million vehicles from the road.

Responses

The Manoomin project, led by IISD-ELA in partnership with the Myera Group, Lakehead University, and Treaty #3 Indigenous communities, was launched in 2023 with aims to study the ecological and cultural importance of wild rice. This project explores the impact of fish waste on water quality and wild rice paddies, testing sustainable cultivation methods to reduce water use. This collaboration supports food sovereignty, enhances Indigenous economies, and helps preserve cultural ties to wild rice. 

An Indigenous-led company, the Myera Group, sponsors the project, focusing on co-culturing fish and wild rice to use fish waste as a natural fertilizer for the rice. The project received $550,000 in funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, underscoring its broader significance. By promoting bioremediation and sustainable agricultural practices, the Manoomin project aligns with larger goals of environmental preservation, cultural food protection, and economic empowerment for Indigenous communities.

Find out more: International Institute of Sustainable Development