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The Simple Plate
"The Simple Plate" is a new feature on Northland Morning every other Tuesday at 8:00 am, featuring tales of local food made and produced by local people.You'll hear conversations with local chefs and local food growers. We'll discuss food culture, visit area food events, and even share a few recipes."The Simple Plate" is supported by Whole Foods Co-Op of Duluth.

The Simple Plate: Native Wise

The North 103.3 | By Lisa Johnson
Published September 14, 2021 at 1:49 PM CDT
Giinawiind Youth Program Manoominike
1 of 6  —  Giinawiind Youth Program Manoominike
The young people from AICHO's Giinawiind Youth Program Manoominike - and their mentors - were all smiles September 3
Ivy Vainio. Used with permission
Zoey and Isaac take their turn harvesting manoomin. David Wise says ricing involves "doing all kinds of things - including standing up - that you'd never usually do in a canoe."
2 of 6  — Zoey and Isaac
Zoey and Isaac take their turn harvesting manoomin. David Wise says ricing involves "doing all kinds of things - including standing up - that you'd never usually do in a canoe."
Ivy Vainio. Used with permission
Kol (left) and Elijah try out their new skills
3 of 6  — Kol and Elijah
Kol (left) and Elijah try out their new skills
Ivy Vainio. Used with permission
4 of 6  — Manoomin
Ivy Vainio. Used with permission
Liz Skinaway and David Wise taught the group knocking and poling techniques as well as the cultural significance of manoomin
5 of 6  — Liz Skinaway and David Wise
Liz Skinaway and David Wise taught the group knocking and poling techniques as well as the cultural significance of manoomin
Ivy Vainio. Used with permission
When he's not writing his pieces for "In the Spirit of Medicine" or doctoring, Arne Vainio can be found winnowing manoomin
6 of 6  — Winnowing manoomin
When he's not writing his pieces for "In the Spirit of Medicine" or doctoring, Arne Vainio can be found winnowing manoomin
Ivy Vainio. Used with permission

Food and tradition: "it was like watching a fledgling eagle fly the nest"

In this part of the world, wild rice or manoomin is not just a local delicacy; it's a cultural tradition - "a rite of passage for Anishinaabeg people."

David and Patra Wise not only harvest and sell manoomin through Native Wise, earlier this month David took a group of young people (AICHO's Giinawiind Giginitaagi'gomin program) to a ricing camp near McGregor.

There, during the customary time of teaching at the end of the season, the young people got to take part in the tradition for the first time.
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Arts & Culture The Simple Plate
Lisa Johnson
Lisa Johnson has been a broadcast journalist for 41 years ... and a radio announcer for a teensy bit longer.
See stories by Lisa Johnson
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