The Michigan Wild Rice Initiative (MWRI) is a collaboration among the twelve federally recognized Anishinaabe nations that share geography with the state of Michigan and several Michigan state agencies. Together with federal, NGO, and academic partners, the MWRI is working to restore and revitalize Manoomin (wild rice) while promoting awareness and education of this sacred relative. The MWRI hope to encourage people of all communities to connect with Manoomin in a good way and seek ways to sustain and protect them.

As part of this work, the MWRI released We all live together in a good way with Manoomin: Stewardship Guide (PDF) in 2025. The Water Center provided support to the MWRI in compiling stories and information from traditional ricers, knowledge holders and others whose work or circumstances could support Manoomin well-being, and then developing the Stewardship Guide for feedback and input of the Manoomin community across Michigan. This living document will change with later editions as Manoomin shares more knowledge with MWRI and MWRI learns to better work together in a good way.

“Don’t take the document in one sitting,” says Roger LaBine, Manoomin Chief of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. “It was a document drafted with input by many and captures the heart of the whole group. It outlines well what the goals and objectives should be and where we need to go. There’s a lot of knowledge that needs to be digested, absorbed and thought about.”

We All Live Together in a Good Way with Manoomin: Stewardship Guide tells the story of Manoomin through an Anishinaabe perspective. The document uses language that centers relationship and care among relatives. It presents an overview of Manoomin, their preferences for living places, and their relationality with other non-human relatives.

The guide shares personal stories from members of the Manoomin community, offering messages from a variety of voices to enable readers to see themselves building a transformative relationship with Manoomin. The storytellers highlight how Manoomin has helped them flourish in face of difficulty and offer advice for how Manoomin can help others.

“At the Steward Network Conference… [the guide] drew folks in,” said Kathy Smith, Ganawendang Manoomin (She who takes care of Manoomin) at GLIFWC and citizen of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. “They commented on how the Manoomin group changed the tone of the conference, bringing camaraderie in by telling stories and laughing. They thought it was great to see the group supporting one another, and that made them willing to come back next year. We need to bring this energy and work forward for the people of Michigan.”

“I really appreciate the friendship and support from Anishinaabe Elders and Knowledge Holders. They were patient and generous with their time as we learned to understand and respect the lessons they shared,” said Jen Read, Water Center Director. “Their guidance also helped to clarify which lessons needed to be shared now and which will come later, as the Manoomin community deems appropriate. Honestly, this is the most important project I’ve worked on in my career. It has changed the way I view the world, and I have grown a lot as a person thanks to the Anishinaabe community and Manoomin.”