Be gentle while harvesting wild rice: Programs at Tamarac highlight more Indigenous knowledge

['Abfostveit Is A Reporter', 'Staff Photographer For The Detroit Lakes Tribune With A Focus On Covering Detroit Lakes Public Schools. Before Moving To The Area', 'Fostveit Graduated With A Degree In Journalism', 'A Minor In Environmental Studies Butler University In Indianapolis In May', 'Where She Also Competed On The Cross Country', 'Track', 'Field Teams As A Middle-Distance Runner.'] Detroit Lakes Tribune | Detroit Lakes, Minnesota 2025-09-09 21:48:08

Mari Bell, the 2024 Volunteer of the Year, participates in a wild rice harvesting demonstration at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. With a canoe and stalks of big bluestem prairie grass to represent wild rice, they demonstrated traditions central to Anishinaabe culture and identity. So we started developing small outings around wild rice harvesting.”For younger students, Clark created a traveling wild rice demonstration. He brings the setup to schools, Head Start programs and festivals for those who have never seen wild rice harvesting firsthand. Volunteers listen as Jason Clark and Jimmy Uran Jr. discuss wild rice at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.