Save the Date: The next Nibi and Manoomin symposium will be held September 25-27, 2013 in Mille Lacs

Nibi and Manoomin: Bridging Worldviews Symposium (2011)

(Hosted by the White Earth Tribal Council and the University of Minnesota*)

Video from the 2011 Nibi and Manoomin: Bridging Worldviews Symposium. Please note that captioning will be added to this video.

Thank you to everyone who presented and participated in the 2011 Nibi and Manoomin: Bridging Worldviews Symposium, held on August 22-24, at the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, MN.

This symposium built on work that began two years ago between tribal communities and the University of Minnesota. The first symposium (2009) brought researchers from the University together with tribal elders from across northern Minnesota. It offered an opportunity to share knowledge about manoomin and build a better understanding between native knowledge holders and University researchers on wild rice in a good way.

That initial gathering was very powerful and long overdue. One outcome of the symposium was a request by tribal members in attendance for more opportunities to share stories, research, and learning and build trust so that wild rice is appreciated as a sacred gift from the creator by us all--this second symposium honored that request. Another outcome of the initial meeting was to draft a wild rice white paper. This paper would identify issues where University and tribal interests could begin to engage in meaningful dialogue on wild rice research conducted at the University and offer recommendations for action. The document was completed and has been presented to the University.

The most recent symposium, Nibi and Manoomin: Bridging Worldviews, provided another occasion to exchange teachings between Western and Anishinaabe cultural views. In addition to manoomin, sessions including water (nibi) took place at this symposium. Water and manoomin belong together.

Photos from the 2011 Nibi and Manoomin: Bridging Worldviews Symposium

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Photos courtesy of Gary Padrta

Symposium Co-conveners:
Erma Vizenor, Tribal Chairwoman, White Earth Nation
Robert Jones, Senior Vice President -- University of Minnesota