Local residents, organizations, advocate for Wild Rice Act ahead of April 3 Minnesota Senate Environment, Climate & Legacy Committee meeting
Apr 02, 2025 11:46AM ● By Content Editor
Unprocessed wild rice, or manoomin. Photo: Boreal Community Media
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 2, 2025
A bill to increase protections for wild rice will be discussed at a Minnesota Senate Environment, Climate & Legacy Committee meeting on Thursday, April 3. If passed, the bill (SF1247, introduced by Senator Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton) would enact increased protections for uncultivated wild rice and the bodies of water it grows in, specifically from motorized watercraft. The bill initially included protections from pesticides, but was amended on March 24 to remove that portion of the legislation.
SF1247 would also require state entities such as the MN Department of Natural Resources and the MN Pollution Control Agency, along with help from Tribal Governments, to create maps that show bodies of water that are or have been used for the production of wild rice. Starting in 2026, money from the general fund would be allocated to help maintain the wild rice water maps. A companion bill (HF2134) has also been introduced in the House of Representatives.
Minnesota organization Rise & Repair (a group made up of environmental, faith, and Indigenous organizations) and other entities, along with local residents, have been heavily advocating for the passage of SF1247 this legislative session. On March 12, a rally was held at the State Capitol to support wild rice and other environmental protections. Hovland resident Linda Newman attended the rally and had an opportunity to talk with Minnesota Senator Grant Hauschild, who represents District 3, and who is a member of the Senate Environment, Climate & Legacy Committee. Newman told Boreal Community Media that she asked Senator Hauschild about SF1247 (prior to the March 24 amendments), where he said that "He wasn't able to support it at that time, given that he needed to balance his voting power."
At the March 21 Town Hall event Senator Hauschild hosted at the Cook County YMCA, he addressed residents' concerns about protecting wild rice and its habitats. He discussed SF1247 (prior to the March 24 amendments) during the event, but expressed concerns about potential impacts on existing mining operations. While he supports efforts to protect wild rice, he also emphasized the need to balance environmental preservation with economic considerations.
Boreal Community Media has requested a comment from Senator Hauschild and will include any response in future updates.
Wild rice is a significant source of food for Indigenous people and an important part of the culture and connection between tribe members. Leanna Goose, an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and facilitator for Rise & Repair, told Boreal Community Media that "The Wild Rice Act, Psin Kin Yanka (Dakota), Ganawendan Manoomin (Anishinaabe) is crucial to protecting wild rice for current and future generations. Wild rice is central to Anishinaabeg and Dakota cultures as well as biodiversity within our state."
Goose shared that the goal for tomorrow's Senate Environment, Climate & Legacy Committee meeting is to "get the amended wild rice act passed through the environment committee and begin the process of working towards providing stronger protections for wild rice and freshwater within the state of Minnesota."
If the committee votes 'yes' tomorrow, the bill will continue forward in the legislative process. If the committee votes 'no', the bill will not move forward and will not be further considered unless reintroduced during another legislative session.
Newman hopes to spread the word about the bill and tomorrow's committee meeting to those who want to help. Specifically, she's encouraging people to reach out to the committee so they can hear stories and testimonies from Indigenous voices and overall support for the legislation. If received by 3 p.m. on April 2, the preparation materials for committee members will include these pieces.
To learn more about SF1247, click here.
To learn more about the Senate Environment, Climate & Legacy Committee meeting, click here.
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 2, 2025
A bill to increase protections for wild rice will be discussed at a Minnesota Senate Environment, Climate & Legacy Committee meeting on Thursday, April 3. If passed, the bill (SF1247, introduced by Senator Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton) would enact increased protections for uncultivated wild rice and the bodies of water it grows in, specifically from motorized watercraft. The bill initially included protections from pesticides, but was amended on March 24 to remove that portion of the legislation.
SF1247 would also require state entities such as the MN Department of Natural Resources and the MN Pollution Control Agency, along with help from Tribal Governments, to create maps that show bodies of water that are or have been used for the production of wild rice. Starting in 2026, money from the general fund would be allocated to help maintain the wild rice water maps. A companion bill (HF2134) has also been introduced in the House of Representatives.
Minnesota organization Rise & Repair (a group made up of environmental, faith, and Indigenous organizations) and other entities, along with local residents, have been heavily advocating for the passage of SF1247 this legislative session. On March 12, a rally was held at the State Capitol to support wild rice and other environmental protections. Hovland resident Linda Newman attended the rally and had an opportunity to talk with Minnesota Senator Grant Hauschild, who represents District 3, and who is a member of the Senate Environment, Climate & Legacy Committee. Newman told Boreal Community Media that she asked Senator Hauschild about SF1247 (prior to the March 24 amendments), where he said that "He wasn't able to support it at that time, given that he needed to balance his voting power."
At the March 21 Town Hall event Senator Hauschild hosted at the Cook County YMCA, he addressed residents' concerns about protecting wild rice and its habitats. He discussed SF1247 (prior to the March 24 amendments) during the event, but expressed concerns about potential impacts on existing mining operations. While he supports efforts to protect wild rice, he also emphasized the need to balance environmental preservation with economic considerations.
Boreal Community Media has requested a comment from Senator Hauschild and will include any response in future updates.
Local business owner Linda Newman calls for the protection of wild rice while Minnesota Senator Grant Hauschild listens at a March 21 Town Hall event. Photo by Haley Brickner for Boreal Community Media
Wild rice is a significant source of food for Indigenous people and an important part of the culture and connection between tribe members. Leanna Goose, an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and facilitator for Rise & Repair, told Boreal Community Media that "The Wild Rice Act, Psin Kin Yanka (Dakota), Ganawendan Manoomin (Anishinaabe) is crucial to protecting wild rice for current and future generations. Wild rice is central to Anishinaabeg and Dakota cultures as well as biodiversity within our state."
Goose shared that the goal for tomorrow's Senate Environment, Climate & Legacy Committee meeting is to "get the amended wild rice act passed through the environment committee and begin the process of working towards providing stronger protections for wild rice and freshwater within the state of Minnesota."
If the committee votes 'yes' tomorrow, the bill will continue forward in the legislative process. If the committee votes 'no', the bill will not move forward and will not be further considered unless reintroduced during another legislative session.
Newman hopes to spread the word about the bill and tomorrow's committee meeting to those who want to help. Specifically, she's encouraging people to reach out to the committee so they can hear stories and testimonies from Indigenous voices and overall support for the legislation. If received by 3 p.m. on April 2, the preparation materials for committee members will include these pieces.
To learn more about SF1247, click here.
To learn more about the Senate Environment, Climate & Legacy Committee meeting, click here.
