Prayers for wild rice pulled from lake
A group of people prayed and sang for wild rice on Pigeon Lake Sunday after large quantities were ripped from the water.
About a dozen people paddled in five canoes from Flood’s Landing in Ennismore to the Birch Point Dr. area, where rice had been torn away.
Caleb Musgrave organized the event after discovering an area of wild rice missing equaling the size of three Olympic swimming pools. Ma no min, Ojibwa for wild rice, is extremely important to indigenous culture. It’s not only a staple crop, but it’s also used in ceremonies.
As indigenous people, Mus grave said it’s their duty to protect the wild rice.
But waterfront homeowners have complained in the past that rice beds are too thick to navigate their boats through. The controversy arose last August, when some homeowners got permit store move the wild rice, unbeknownst to the local First Nations community.
Musgrave said those permits were ultimately revoked. They weren’t intended for wild rice, but for seaweed-type plants.
Instead, First Nations was working with Parks Canada and the Trent-Severn Water way( T SW) to clear channels in the lake for boats, Musgrave said.
So when he got wind that patches of wild rice were being torn out by homeowners, Musgrave went to see for himself on Friday. That’s when he discovered the enormous loss and watched as people tugged out more.
The agreement with Parks Canada and the TSW to clear certain areas was made in good faith to build peaceful relationships, he said.
But seeing the rice plucked from places it shouldn’t be stung.
“It’s a sign that our requests are not being met,” he said.
Sunday’ s gathering was a chance to pray for the wild rice and the water, and make a stance.
“We’ re here to make it very clear that we’re here to take care of (the wild rice),” said Musgrave before taking his canoe off his vehicle.
Maryanne Jacobs showed up with her canoe from Curve Lake. As an Anishinaabe woman, she said it’s her job to take care of the water, and in turn the wild rice that grows in it.
“We just want to protect it and make people aware that it’s here and we want it to remain here,” said Jacobs.
Thohehente Weaver, his wife and young stepdaughter drove up from Cobourg to show their support. Weaver is originally from Tyendinaga.
He said it’s his duty and responsibility to support First Nation communities when food, cultural or land sovereignty is threatened. Without the wild rice, Weaver said local First Nation people would lose their connection to the land and their culture.
“And this is something that’s really, really hard for settlers to wrap their head around,” he said.