What have we been up to
During the off-season, the Manomin Project has been working with the Kenora Catholic District School Board to develop cultural programming through which Anishinaabe Youth could earn their 40 volunteer hours.These conversations are ongoing.
Our team is also gathering and editing pieces of writing for an anthology.This collection of writing will allow interested readers to learn more about Indigenous food-ways, particularly human relationships with Manomin.
We are excited to announce that we’ve received $20,000 from RBC’s Ontario Resource Field Program! These funds will allow us to complete a preliminary assessment of off-river Manomin habitat in the vicinity of NANA, including characterizing the water level patterns. Elders first asked the Manomin Project to use off-river sites as a comparison in 2018.
“As long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the river flows,we will continue to work towards sustainability for the Manomin spirit.”
– Councillor Fabian Blackhawk
What’s Next
Our team’s spirits have been renewed by the arrival of Spring! We are excitedly preparing for all that’s to come in 2021.
- PhD student Samantha Mehltretter has start planning her field visits. She will be on the river in May, July, and September 2021.
- Dr. Luby is working on an article that shows Anishinaabe demands to protect Manomin harvesting as a Treaty Right were clearly stated during the 1873 negotiations. Her research also show that federal administrators recognized Manomin harvesting as a Treaty Right at the turn of the 20th Century.
- Dr. Andrea Bradford is working hard to support the Manomin Project by searching for and identifying new funding sources.
- The Manomin Project’s undergraduate students are continuing with their normal tasks and duties. These duties include gathering environmental data and maintaining @manominproject social media pages.
Meet The Team
Elli Pattrick is a fourth-year Environmental Engineering student at the University of Guelph. She joined the Manomin Project team as an Undergraduate Research Assistant during Summer 2020.
Elli supports the Manomin Project’s research by gathering and analyzing environmental data. In September 2020, Elli joined our 10-day fieldwork expedition to the Winnipeg River. Elli’s enthusiasm and hard work ethic has made her an asset to the team.
“Working on the Manomin Project has by far been the most educational and rewarding work experience I have had and will be a highlight of my undergrad!”
– Elli Pattrick