Hundreds Expected at Rally in Solidarity to Protect Wild Rice
Minneapolis - Traditional Minnesota wild rice, a staple for many Minnesotans and sacred food for tribal communities, could be threatened by research being done at the University of Minnesota, assert tribal leaders. At a press conference today tribal leaders called for the immediate disclosure of information about the associated costs and extent of wild rice research being done at the UMN, as well as the establishment of open communications with Indigenous communities about the research.
"The problem the Anishinaabeg community is facing relates to the continued genetic research and the completed mapping of the wild rice genome," says Joe La Garde, of the White Earth reservation. "A year ago in May 2001, our community submitted a letter of demands asking the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences for information pertaining to the U of M and their wild rice research. To date no information has been forthcoming from the University and further requests by Anishinaabeg community leaders, who have made multiple attempts in writing, in the University classrooom and in person to request public, ongoing dialogue around this issue, particularly as it relates to treaty rights, civil rights, federal trust responsibility, economic dislocation, and intellectual property rights of indigenous people, have not been adequately addressed."
In the last several months, several Tribal governments in Minnesota and Wisconsin have passed resolutions objecting to the research being done at the University of Minnesota. In 1999, the U of MN announced its genomic study of wild rice led by UMN researchers and scientists who now work with biotech companies Pioneer High-Bred and Monsanto. Among the concerns from this type of research is that the UMN is developing a genetically engineered form of wild rice which might contaminate traditional wild rice, and that private companies may try to file additional patents on wild rice, restricting its use by tribal communities.
The Minnesota tribal community has repeatedly contacted the UMN and its President Mark Yudof to discuss the implications and details of the university's wild rice research. The UMN has refused to engage in a dialogue or adequately address issues raised by the tribal communities.
A rally of solidarity was held at 11:30 during the University of Minnesota's 14th Annual Conference of the National Agricultural Biotechnology Council meeting at the Radisson Hotel Metrodome, Minneapolis. University President Mark Yudof and several U of MN genetic researchers spoke at the conference.
"Today there are only a few wild rice mills on the White Earth reservation due to a number of factors, including competition from agribusiness, a decline in water quality and the demands of a wage economy," writes Winona LaDuke (Ojibwe), who spoke at today's press conference. "But for those still involved, locally processed, lake-harvested Native rice is about doing right and community pride, and embodies the essence of being Anishinaabe.":
