White Earth members seek ban on genetically modified wild rice

March 8, 2005
News Minnesota
Tom Robertson
   
Bemidji, Minn. - The lakes and rivers on the White Earth Indian Reservation 
in northwest Minnesota are, according to this story, an ideal habitat for wild 
rice, but the tribe is worried that resource could be threatened by the 
science of genetic engineering.
   
The story says that White Earth has become the first reservation in the U.S. 
to ban the introduction or growth of genetically-modified wild rice seeds and 
some White Earth Band members want the Legislature to ban genetically modified 
wild rice statewide.
   
The story says that for the Ojibwe people, wild rice is more than just a plant. 
Ancient prophecies lured the Ojibwe from their east coast origins to the Midwest, 
to a place where wild rice was plentiful. Mike Swan, White Earth's director of 
natural resources, was cited as saying that wild rice is considered a sacred gift 
from the Creator, adding, "We give offerings for it. We give thanks when we go 
out and get some food for our families. We give thanks to... the Great Spirit, 
for allowing us this. And in our own history, Ojibwe history, we came to this 
area because of this plant, food that grows on water, which is wild rice."
   
Tribal members are worried the wild rice that has sustained them for centuries 
could fall victim to genetic pollution. Winona LaDuke, founding director of the 
White Earth Land Recovery Project which markets White Earth's wild rice 
internationally, was cited as saying she is promoting a statewide ban on 
genetically modified wild rice and has teamed up with Slow Food International, 
an organization that promotes the biodiversity and cultural identity of foods 
worldwide, adding, "We believe it should be protected. We believe it shouldn't 
be genetically modified. And we're going to make a stand. And we believe the 
state of Minnesota should protect it as well, because it's a valuable and 
critical part of our state history and culture."