Harvesting Wild Rice

On the White Earth reservation in northern Minnesota, the Anishinaabekwe (Ojibwe) people grow and produce traditional native foods such as maple syrup, wild rice, hominy, wild fruits and herbal teas. Native Harvest, the marketing program for White Earth, provides jobs for tribal members and promotes traditional foods. Income generated from sales helps to fund the White Earth Land Recovery Program. Founder Winona LaDuke envisioned a program which would preserve their tribal culture by recovering original lands and building a sustainable economy.

In addition to raising funds to buy back original lands, the White Earth programs also work to preserve cultural practices, encourage sound land stewardship and promote sustainable development of their community. Their programs include classes in the Anishinaabekwe language, food and energy self-sufficiency, and preservation of traditional crops that are used in the schools and in their “Good Food” program for the elderly, which combats malnutrition and high rates of diabetes. 

Full of nutrition and grown sustainably, Native Harvest’s products make a great gift for yourself or someone you love.