Outdoor Ed Program - Wild Rice

August 13, 2025



The next Outdoor Education program will be Thursday, August 28th, at 6:00 pm in Florence featuring Roger Labine, Lac Vieux Desert Elder and Rice Keeper.   Wild Rice, known as Manoomin to the Ojibwe, is much more than “just an aquatic plant.” Come learn how wild rice plays a vital role in tribal culture and how we can help restore its growth in our area.
 
Roger is the current tribal delegate on the Michigan Wild Rice Initiative (MWRI) and Co-chairperson on the MWRI Education and Outreach Sub-committee; Co-Chairman of the Native Wild Rice Coalition; and Roger is the recipient of the “2019 Heritage Award” from the State of Michigan and the Michigan State University Museum Board of Directors for his work with Manoomin Restoration and Preservation.

He is a member of the Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge. He is active in the preservation of Manoomin (Wild Rice) through continued restoration efforts of rice beds for his community on traditional and historic tribal lands and in the surrounding area lakes and rivers. He shares his knowledge through conducting Manoomin Camps and workshops on his traditional homelands, Michigan, and throughout the Midwest. He was inspired by his Uncle Niigaanaash (knee-gone-nosh) who was also his teacher and Mentor.
 
This free program starts at 6:00 pm in the lower level conference room at the Florence Natural Resource Center building located on the corner of US 2 and Highway 101/70 in Florence (5628 Forestry Drive).  You may attend in person, or sign up to attend virtually via a Zoom link by registering at www.ExploreFlorenceCounty.com.  On the Events page click on this event and then click on “click here for virtual Zoom meeting link”.  

The Florence County monthly Outdoor Education programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Wild Rivers Interpretive Center and UW-Extension Florence County. 

Click here to register to attend virtually via Zoom »

click here for press release »