MANOOMIN HARVEST UPDATE 2023
By Mashkode-bizikigahbaw, Benji Sam
On August 11, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Department of Natural Resources held its annual ricing harvest meeting at the Mille Lacs Pow Wow Grounds. The meeting was opened by Elder Joseph Nayquonabe Sr. with an invocation in Anishinaabemowin. Then the Mille Lacs Band DNR Commissioner Kelly Applegate welcomed Elders, local representatives, many staff members, and nearly 30 participants of the meeting. This was followed with a summary of current guidelines, regulations, conditions of local rice beds, and access points for multiple sites to be used in this year’s harvest.
Todd Moilanen, the Cultural Resources Director for the Tribe, reviewed common questions and answers about the upcoming season. In general, Moilanen and the rest of the DNR staff agree that this year’s rice crop is looking very strong across both local and regional rice beds, but harvesters may have some trouble accessing some waters again this year due to low water conditions. Low water generally means more difficulty in pushing canoes through thick rice beds and may make for some tricky navigation with full canoes of rice.
Moilanen and Commissioner Applegate remind all harvesters that harvesting of green wild rice is against state law and is also unethical as it may damage rice beds in the process. Mature rice will have mature grains that are semi-hard and translucent, falling off the stalk with ease, and will have very little, if any, milky secretion. Ricing hours are between 10 a.m. and sunset each day, seven days per week on all tribal waters for tribal harvesters. State lakes opened on August 15 to state and tribal harvesters, and harvesting times differ between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. compared to tribal water restrictions.
The DNR also reminds harvesters that all wild rice must be harvested in a boat, skiff, or canoe propelled by hand no more than 36 inches in width and no longer than 18 feet long. Knockers must also be handheld, no longer than 30 inches in length, and must weigh less than one pound each to harvest wild rice legally. Push bills may not exceed 10 inches in total length and will open to no wider than 12 inches across to keep safe harvest practice for rice beds.
As a general reminder, as of 2016 in the state of Minnesota, and tribal members of one of the federally recognized tribes located in Minnesota may harvest wild rice off Reservation with only their Tribal ID. However, to monitor local harvest on lakes on Reservation, harvesters are required to attain a harvest permit for tribal waters in the area.
Call your local district contact for information regarding current ricing conditions, harvest permits, or any questions about harvesting this year. For all licensing needs, please contact your respective district licensing agent: District I: Leroy Day, 320-532-7896; District II: Steven Aubid, 218-786-5316/320- 362-4123; District 3: Vanessa Gibbs, 320-384-6240 ext. 3230.