Wild rice, known as manoomin in the Ojibway language, has been a valuable food source and a culturally significant resource to Native Americans for centuries.

The 1854 Treaty Authority is involved in the preservation, protection, and enhancement of this important natural resource. The goal of the wild rice program is to improve knowledge of wild rice ecosystems to lead to better management, protection, and restoration of viable wild rice waters in the Ceded Territory while promoting cooperative efforts between tribal and non-tribal agencies.