Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

Anishinaabe nations to present historic white paper preserving sacred wild rice to U of M at symposium in White Earth

WHITE EARTH, MINN. – At the second collaborative symposium between tribal members and University of Minnesota researchers, this year entitled: Nibi (water) and Manoomin (wild rice): Bridging Worldviews, Anishinaabe Nations from northern Minnesota will present the University of Minnesota with an historic white paper that outlines a pathway for potential collaborations and communications regarding sacred Manoomin (wild rice). Relations between tribal nations and the University have been strained since1978 when researchers began developing new manoomin varieties and escalated in 1998 when researchers began mapping the manoomin genome.

Manoomin holds a unique and sacred place in the lives and traditions of the Anishinaabe people, but the research emerging from this and other universities has reflected the goals and desires of non-Indians with little regard for Native American concerns. Dr. Erma J. Vizenor, Chairwoman of the White Earth Nation, who believes “it is to our mutual benefit to collaborate on wild rice research” will present the white paper to University of Minnesota Senior Vice President Dr. Robert Jones during the symposium.

She will ask the University to immediately join tribal members on a joint advisory committee to further explore the recommendations presented in the paper. This came about following the first symposium two years ago, called People Protecting Manoomin, Manoomin Protecting People where Chairwoman Vizenor challenged the organizers with writing the white paper.

Where: Shooting Star Casino Event Center, 777 Casino Road, Mahnomen, MN

When: Monday, August 22 at 10 a.m. through Wednesday, August 24.

Contact Information:

White Paper - Joe LaGarde at 218-983-3285 or joel@whitearth.com

Symposium - Pamela Standing at 218-847-9554 or pamelastanding@msn.com

Or visit the website at http://www.cfans.umn.edu/diversity/Initiatives/wildrice2011.htm

 

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