Wild rice is a gift given to the Anishinaabe people from the Creator.
“Our people’s lives were centered around wild rice.”
—Josh Red Day, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
The members of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe are the descendants of the Anishinaabe, the people who received a prophecy that instructed them to move west from the east coast of North America until they found the “food that grows from water.”
Wild rice, Manoomin (Man-ō-min), not only nourishes the Leech Lake tribal members, but it is also a centerpiece of the culture and connects the people to our unique history.
Wild rice is a food uniquely ours.
Manoomin is said to be discovered by an Anishinaabe cultural hero, Nanaboozhoo. One day, Nanaboozhoo found a duck perched on the edge of his kettle on the fire. When the duck took flight, it left behind wild rice floating in the water. That night, Nanaboozhoo enjoyed the best soup he had ever tasted.
The next day, Nanaboozhoo followed the flight of the duck and found a lake with abundant wild rice. And so began the yearly harvest and parching of wild rice to sustain the people.
Hand-harvested for thousands of years.
Every year Leech Lake and the surrounding waters welcome the Ojibwe people to gather wild rice.
Discover the nutritious benefits of wild rice.
Wild rice is not actually rice at all. It is a gluten-free, whole grain called Manoomin that that is an impressive source of protein and minerals.
With a nutty, toasty taste, Leech Lake Wild Rice is a perfect side-dish, great in soups, a crunchy base to a fall salad, stuffing for squash and turkey, and a wholesome addition to bread and pancakes.
Versatile and easy to prepare.
Watch Leech Lake tribal member Josh Red Day prepare wild rice the way his mother taught him. Then, learn how fast and easy it is to make chicken wild rice soup from scratch.
Healthy and nutritious, Manoomin is a staple for the tribal members of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
“I hope this project encourages and inspires young people to get on these lakes, gather rice, and fall in love with the practice.”
— Matthew Jedlicka, Project Development Manager, Wild Rice Project