A new book, Manomin: Caring for Ecosystems and Each Other, puts Anishinaabe ecological knowledge front and centre. Commonly known by the misnomer “wild rice,” manomin is the only cereal grain native to Turtle Island. Long central to Indigenous societies and diets, this complex carbohydrate is seen by the Anishinaabeg as a gift from Creator, a “spirit berry” that has allowed the Nation to flourish for generations.
Beleaguered by the effects of colonialism (laws restricting Anishinaabe harvesting rights, hydro development, and climate change—to name just a few), manomin populations decreased dramatically in the 20th century. A partnership between Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation and University of Guelph researchers aims to restore depleted fields, relying on traditional knowledge passed down through countless generations to guide their efforts. Says Anishinaabe educator Joseph Pitawanakwat, “to protect nature, we must first understand it.”

Much like Robin Wall Kimmerer’s beloved Braiding Sweetgrass, Manomin weaves together traditional Anishinaabe knowledge and contemporary scholarship. The book’s editors point towards the further strides that they are making with Manomin to decolonize academic publishing. Indigenous Rights informed the conditions under which the work was not only researched, but published. “We negotiated with our publisher, University of Manitoba Press, to retain Indigenous Language Rights, ensuring that contributors retain copyright to their work and can circulate their traditional knowledge in their ancestral tongue, on their own terms.”
The contributions within Manomin are deeply personal—“relationship” is a term that appears numerous times throughout the book. Says co-editor Jane Mariotti, “From the Seven Generations Teachings and Anishinaabe ecological frameworks, we understand that sustainability is, at its core, about interdependence between humans and nature. In this symbiosis, it is through caring for our plant relations in the present day that we allow them to care for us in the future.”
The book features poetry, recipes, and personal essays alongside pieces exploring the historical cultivation and ecology of the understudied grain. When asked about the choice to include such a wide range of voices, the editors point out that “Many Anishinaabe believe that the Creator bestowed each living being with unique gifts… By accepting a wider range of expression, we could invite more Indigenous teachers to participate as authors and honour the unique relationships and experiences they have with Manomin.”
Manomin re-centres terms like “sustainability” and “ecology,” reminding readers that concepts of caring for the land existed long before such terms were invented. The volume offers a message of hope—the book’s dedication reads: “For our Indigenous readers whose ancestors nurtured the Manomin spirit, we hope this book reminds you that every seed is a sign of ancestral care. For those whose ancestors came from across the sea, we hope this book enriches your understanding of the plant-human relationships that fed Indigenous Nations and fueled Indigenous diplomacy before European arrival. These lands and waters have never been vacant.”Join Manomin editors and community members to celebrate the launch of the book November 19th, 7pm, at artBar (37 Quebec Street, Upper level).