Restoring manomin (wild rice): a case study with Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, Ontario

Abstract

This thesis focuses on manomin (wild rice) ecocultural restoration by Wabaseemoong Independent Nations (WIN) in Northwestern Ontario. Ecocultural restoration includes the recovery of habitats and re-establishment of relationships between WIN and manomin. The objectives are to: 1) Describe the past and present state of rice-related practices in WIN and changes of the 20th century 2) Select and document a restoration site(s) 3) Identify the possibilities for the involvement of school students in the restoration process 4) Design a prototype for a wild rice camp that contributes to relationship re-establishment. The main pillars of the WIN restoration process - traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), site selection, involvement of children and young people, and transformative learning experienced by adult participants of a wild rice camp – are the main study components. The project is guided by a design-based methodology with data gathered through interviews, design workshops, participant observation, and biophysical methods.