About

Naturally Wild is native owned and operated by Jason Barber, an enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe of Northern Wisconsin. They work together to traditionally hand harvest from naturally existing rice beds with their family, friends, and community. They practice their inherent right to gather manoomin (good berry) in their 1855, 1854, 1842, and 1837 ceded Ojibwe territories while teaching others to feel the connection they have with the land. Wild Rice, or manoomin in their traditional language, is one of their most respected and cherished resources as native people; and Naturally Wild exists to continue these traditions.

Mission

Their legacy is to teach people their traditional ways of harvesting manoomin. Practicing  their inherent right to gather is a gift from the creator. It is their obligation to protect our  Mother Earth (Akii) and it’s an honor to provide for their Elders. “My ancestors taught  us to respect the land and in return the land would give us all the resources that are  needed.”

Harvest

Naturally Wild manoomin is all hand harvested by canoe, using traditional balsam push  poles and cedar knockers. Harvesters work together to decide where the rice will best fall,  what angle to take depending on the wind, or where to gather along the bed – respect is  always shown. Once green rice is harvested from the bed, it is spread with care on tarps  and cleaning husks to allow the wind and sun to cool and dry the rice. There is always  someone preparing and caring for it. Naturally Wild works with a number of traditional  processors in the wood fired parching, thrashing, and cleaning process. 

Jason, and Naturally Wild, are thrilled to partner with the Tribal Food Box Program to  provide a most cherished resource to our most cherished individuals at the most fair price.  “Placing a price on our wild rice was very difficult and the negotiation had everything to  do with how we can best support our local harvesters.” 

As you prepare manoomin, smell the steam as it boils, and know that it is the same smell  as the humid rice beds of your youth. Tell your young ones stories about how everybody  would work together for a common good. Tell stories of how wild rice has impacted your life and your community. Know that on our worst days in the middle of winter, the rice  is under that ice and will grow again, and we are never more than 9 months away from  pushing a canoe, and a person you love, through an 8 foot tall bed of naturally existing,  naturally wild, wild rice.