The Effects of Wild Rice Water Quality Rule Changes on Tribal Health

The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa conducted an HIA to analyze and explain the importance of wild rice, or manoomin, to the health of the Ojibwe people in advance of a proposed revision to loosen water quality standards for wild rice cultivation in Minnesota.

Hand-harvested manoomin is a staple for the Ojibwe that provides cultural and nutritional benefits. Connections to land, traditional food sources, and subsistence living contribute to the physical health and cultural well-being of many indigenous peoples. Manoomin is a critical source of food for Minnesota tribes and generates nearly $7 million in annual income for tribal harvesters, supporting nearly 300 jobs. The study found that reducing water quality protections would result in a loss of manoomin, prevent the Ojibwe from exercising their treaty rights, and diminish tribes’ food sovereignty.

The authors recommended expanding access to wild rice in nutritional assistance programs, implementing an inventory of wild rice stands and a monitoring program for wild rice waters in Minnesota, developing a protective regulatory framework for wild rice waters, and continuing research on the effects of climate change on wild rice ecology.