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Native American guide Don Chosa points out wild rice beds to his son, one of six children whom will continue the family tradition of harvesting wild rice each September.---The Manoomin Project: At-risk teens, tribesrestore wild rice in Michigan;Youth learn social issues like racism targeted against American IndiansNorthern Michigan teens take water samples during a survey of the previous year's crop--- The Manoomin Project: At-risk teens restore wild rice to Michigan with help from American Indian tribes2007 wild rice planting delayed six weeks due to record drought, low water levels, unavailability of seed(Marquette, Michigan) - Delayed six weeks due to extremely low water levels, teenagers, an American Indian guide and volunteers on Saturday held the fourth annual planting of wild rice in a project aimed at restoring the once abundant grain to northern Michigan.The groundbreaking Manoomin Project has teamed hundreds of at-risk teens with American Indian guides who have planted over a ton of wild rice since the summer of 2004 . Manoomin means wild rice in Ojibwa.Wild rice disappeared from Michigan over a century ago and is a vital part of Native American ceremonies and traditions.Wild rice experts say the grain contains seven to nine primary medicines. Recent studies show wild rice is an important component in reducing blood serum cholesterol and it slows or reduces diabetic blindness. It’s also known to reduce “Seasonal Affective Disorder” or “SAD” - because it somehow gave Native American peoples the strength to survive harsh winters.In northern Michigan, the grain has proven to be a powerful healing tool for young people trying to find a new path in life. At-risk teens sentenced in juvenile court for minor crimes are restoring the once native grain to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with help from American Indian tribes.“You are the first ones to bring wild rice back to the area,” the teens were told by American Indian guide David Anthony, who has a ponytail and a calm voice. “I am pleased that you are here and what you are doing today is very important.”“This is very, very significant, this is a gift from the creator, it’s food grown on the water,” said Anthony, who attends Northern Michigan University (NMU) and belongs to the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa (Ottawa) Indian based in Harbor Springs, MI. “Wild rice is the original North American grain and is very nutritious.”“This past year, wild rice across the nation kind of suffered and that worries me,” said Anthony. “Wild rice harvesting is going down - so what you are doing becomes even more important.”Anthony told the teens that during the harvest Native Americans carefully "bend the plants over the boat and shake and tap it - so the seeds fall into the bottom - that way they do not break the plant."“It’s an honor to know that you are participating in the first time wild rice has been introduced into this area,” Anthony said. --- The Manoomin Project: At-risk teens, tribesrestore wild rice in Michigan;Youth learn social issues like racismtargeted against American IndiansAt-risk teens restore wild rice to Michigan with help from American Indian tribes:2007 wild rice planting delayed six weeks due to record drought, low water levels, unavailability of seedDanny Carello, 13, of Ishpeming "broadcasts" or spreads wild rice seeds into the Dead River near Marquette, Michigan during the Nov. 3, 2007 fourth annual planting of the grain that was delayed due to the extreme drought and planted only 48 hours before the first winter storm of the season dumped a foot of snow.---Manoomin Project Photos by Greg Peterson, Steve Durocher and Samantha Otto— (Marquette, Michigan) - Delayed six weeks due to extremely low water levels, teenagers, an American Indian guide and volunteers on Saturday held the fourth annual planting of wild rice in a project aimed at restoring the once abundant grain to northern Michigan.The groundbreaking Manoomin Project has teamed hundreds of at-risk teens with American Indian guides who have planted over a ton of wild rice since the summer of 2004. Manoomin means wild rice in Ojibwa.Wild rice disappeared from Michigan over a century ago and is a vital part of Native American ceremonies and traditions. Wild rice experts say the grain contains seven to nine primary medicines.Recent studies show wild rice is an important component in reducing blood serum cholesterol and it slows or reduces diabetic blindness. It’s also known to reduce “Seasonal Affective Disorder” or “SAD” - because it somehow gave Native American peoples the strength to survive harsh winters.

• Release Date

  Dec 18, 2007

• Runtime

  10:00