Lake Superior Manoomin cultural and ecosystem characterization study

• Published in: Ecology and Society
• Main Authors: Heather R Hosterman, Kaylene Ritter, Nancy Schuldt, Darren Vogt, Deanna M. Erickson, Olivia L Griot, Erin Johnston, Karena Schmidt, Evelyn Ravindran, Roger D LaBine, Eric Chapman, Sr., William J. Graveen, Deidre M. Peroff, Jimmy Taitano Camacho, Sarah Dance, Brandon S Krumwiede, Heather Stirratt
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Resilience Alliance 2023
• Subjects: cultural characterization; ecosystem services; great lakes; wild rice; Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Ecology; QH540-549.5; Canada; anishina*
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-13763-280317; https://doaj.org/article/6132829423f843fe82413555732b6884

Manoomin, wild rice, is integral to the culture, livelihood, and identity of the Anishinaabeg, the indigenous peoples of Canada and the United States that include the Odawa, Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Algonquin peoples. In addition to the vital role Manoomin has in the lives of the Anishinaabeg, Manoomin is recognized as being ecologically important, feeding migrating and resident wildlife species, providing a nursery for fish and nesting and breeding habitats for many waterfowl and muskrat, and stabilizing shorelines. This study was initiated by a team of Lake Superior basin Anishinaabe communities and federal and state agencies to document and characterize (1) the importance of Manoomin habitat to Anishinaabe cultural perspectives and identity, community connections, spiritual practices, food sovereignty, and food security; and (2) the ecological importance of Manoomin habitat as an indicator of a high-quality, high-functioning, and biodiverse ecosystem. The team applied a set of cultural and ecological metrics to characterize seven case study sites around Lake Superior and used a habitat equivalency analysis to determine the amount of restoration needed to counterbalance the lost Manoomin habitat functionality. Results from this study highlight the difficulty in restoring the cultural and ecological functionality of degraded Manoomin habitat and the importance of preserving and protecting existing Manoomin habitat.