MANOOMIN HARVEST 2025 OUTLOOK
By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor
Anishinaabe oral history tells of a prophecy guiding the Ojibwe to find their home “where the food grows on water” which lead them to the Great Lakes Region where manoomin grew in abundance naturally. Manoomin is a gift from the Creator as it is rich in nutrition it soon became a food staple that could be stored year-round. Manoomin has been deeply intertwined with Anishinaabe tradition, culture, identity, and spirituality for centuries.
"Our work here at the Mille Lacs Band Department of Natural Resources has become extremely important to protect our sacred Manoomin from climate change, water pollution and other environmental threats," said Commissioner of Natural Resources Kelly Applegate. "When all things fall together in a good way throughout the growing season, we are humble to be able to harvest and take only what we need of this sacred gift."
The Mille Lacs Band is cautiously optimistic for the manoomin harvest this season, according to Todd Moilanen, Mille Lacs Band DNR Cultural Resources Director. The grain is highly sensitive to climate conditions. Heavy rains and wind can be devastating for rice beds. But at the time of this writing, he said the harvest outlook “is looking good. It is about typical for this time of year. I’m hoping for some hot sunny days in the weeks ahead to ripen the manoomin.”
Moilanen gave a stern warning and reminder to harvesters that, “Harvesting green rice is illegal on any lake in Minnesota.”
The harvest season is looking at opening up on or before August 15, 2025, for Mille Lacs Band tribal members and statewide on August 15. Moilanen suggests that harvesters make sure to have equipment ready and obtain the proper licenses and permits you will need now.
Tribal manoomin harvest permits can be obtained at one of the following locations prior to engaging in harvesting activities:
•DI-DNR main building, Leroy Day-Lead Licensing Agent 320-532-7896
•DII-Minisinaakwaang, Steven Aubid-Licensing Agent 218-768-5316/320-362-4123
•DIII-Lake Lena Community Center, Vanessa Gibbs-Licensing Agent 320-384-6240 Ext. 3230
The licensing agents will be able to provide you with information you need to know to have your gear in proper order. There will also be a manoomin harvest meeting soon at the Traditional Powwow grounds for more information and water level information.
As of 2016, a valid identification card from a federally recognized Minnesota tribe qualifies as a state manoomin harvest permit, and no additional state permit is required.
Minnesota State information please see: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/wildrice/index.html.