Manoomin – The Ways – PBS Wisconsin Education

What is the importance of ricing to the Sokaogon Chippewa Community of Mole Lake?

Fred Ackley Jr. is from the Sokaogon Chippewa Community of Mole Lake. He harvests and processes manoomin, or wild rice. Learn how his relationship with nature informs his approach physically and spiritually to the harvest.

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Questions to consider

Where does manoomin (wild rice) grow? Why is it important?

Why is it so crucial for Fred Ackley Jr. to continue the tradition of harvesting manoomin?

A sense of place

Map with outlines of tribal lands of the Great Lakes region circa 1800. The star indicates the present-day seat of government for the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, in Red Cliff, Wisconsin. A dotted white line indicates the present day state lines of Wisconsin.

Seal for Sokaogon Chippewa Community of Mole Lake, Wisconsin

This map outlines tribal lands of the Great Lakes region circa 1800.

The star indicates the present-day seat of government for the Sokaogon Chippewa Community of Mole Lake, featured in the story, in Mole Lake, Wisconsin.

In their words

“In my mind, every time I hit a new plant, I’m saying miigwech, Thank you.”

Fred Ackley Jr.

Production credits

Producer
Finn Ryan

Videography
Hunter Hampton

Editing
Lukas Korver

Photography
Finn Ryan

Advisors
David O’ Connor
Aaron Bird Bear
Ryan Comfort
Tyler Blue Tarpalechee
Ben Grignon