Barb Barton, recipient of the MSUE Diversity Award at yesterday’s staff awards ceremony, sent me this note about an event this weekend in the Lansing area involving wild rice harvesting traditions. I thought others may be interested as well. Please share this with folks you know who might want to learn more about this amazing natural resource and the cultural traditions of American Indians who have used this treasure for generations. Barb wrote:
Since you expressed interest yesterday in wild rice, I thought I would let you know that tomorrow is Apple Butter Festival at Fenner Nature Center in Lansing and I will be holding a wild rice camp from 11-4, where you can learn about and participate in the traditional processing of wild rice that I harvested at Lac Vieux Desert last month! It is unbelievable how much work goes into obtaining this most nutritious and delicious food. Just follow the signs that say “Wild Rice Camp Ahead”! I will give presentations on the hour, processing and tool making will take place at all times. We will be crafting cedar knocking sticks, push poles, stirring paddles, and moccasins. I will be assisted by several folks who attended the lower Peninsula camp this year.
There will be live music all day as the Mid-Michigan Songwriters take the stage from 11-3. Yours truly will be on at 3:00. Silver Fox, Native American flute player who is presently living in the West Branch area, will also be playing all day at the festival, that is an added treat! Oh, and then there is the Apple Butter making!
I hope to see you at camp tomorrow. Please pass along this information to anyone who might be interested!
