Symposium on wild rice brings Minnesota researchers and Midwestern Tribal Nations together

MARIANA SHAFFER, AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING, BS '26

From October 26-28, the University of Minnesota and Upper Midwest Tribal Nations will convene for the bi-annual Nibi Miinawaa Manoomin Symposium, an event that aims to deepen understanding of the sacred connections between water “nibi” and wild rice “manoomin.” The first symposium, held in 2009, brought together University researchers studying wild rice and Tribal Nations working to preserve its sacredness. 

Craig Hassel, an associate professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, has been part of a University conversation with local tribal members since before the symposium began. Hassel explains the main purpose of the event: “It’s attempting to build mutual understanding, reciprocity, and trust from a difficult history of misunderstanding and oppression.” Several initiatives have started from past symposiums, including a database with all wild rice-based research conducted by the University of Minnesota that tribal nations can access in an effort to work toward transparency between the University research on wild rice and Indigenous communities. The Six Minnesota Chippewa Tribal Chairs jointly signed a “White Paper” outlining their requests for transparency, trust and reciprocity that was  from the University’s wild rice research team. 

The upcoming symposium “is going to be a little bit different,” Hassel said. “This is less talking and information sharing and more about actual working groups working together to understand what is going on, what actions can be taken and how do we influence policy and decision making in order to protect the water and the wild rice.” Some working group topic examples include invasive species, climate change and agricultural impacts on wild rice. Symposium attendees will self-select into working groups depending on their interests and expertise. 

During the symposia held over the past 16 years, attendees have learned not only about the importance of preserving the sacredness of wild rice but also how to work more effectively across cultural differences. Ongoing research that incorporates tribal priorities has become more widespread at the University, built on meaningful conversations and a deeper understanding of tribal communities. University of Minnesota students, faculty, and staff; indigenous community and tribal members; and any Minnesota community members interested in the preservation of wild rice are welcome to attend the upcoming symposium. Learn more about the symposium, which will be held at the Shooting Star Casino in Northwestern Minnesota.