August - Manoominike-giizis, Ricing Moon
I love wild rice in casserole/hotdish, soup, and alone with butter, salt, and pepper
The video above is a 15-minute video. It talks about wild rice and the lakes and rivers contributing to the rice, and how the Ojibwe people were told to move to where the food grows on the water.
As a young woman, I went ricing with my uncle. Years later, I riced with my brother. My brother was used to knocking, and so was I. But I knew how to do both, due to my uncle getting drunk after selling some of our rice. He would be hung over and couldn't pole, so I did it.
Ricing for many meant school clothes, and school supplies for the coming school year. For others, it would mean food for the year and longer. Wild rice stays good for eating for a long time. Indefinitely when stored properly. After cooking, still for about a week's time.
Minnesota is known as the "Land of 10,000 lakes". For the Ojibwe people, August is known as the moon of ricing. Sometimes ricing doesn't occur until September, or isn't finished until September. My mother would make an excuse for me to miss school to rice. Now kids have a cultural excuse when ricing goes into September.
Rice is costly, and it is a lot of work. This year's wild rice can sell for anywhere from $15.00 to $25.00 a pound for home-processed wild rice. If you are an elder and enrolled in a tribe in Minnesota, you can occasionally buy wild rice for about $6.00 a pound. Benefits of being an elder.
My son was here for a visit, and I left out all of the ingredients for making a wildrice casserole/hotdish. He asked if there was something he could do and I asked him to make the casserole/hotdish. He did, and from then on, when I go to his place, he makes the same dish with his own twist.
In Red Lake, Minnesota, they have paddy rice. It is very dark rice. Black rice. It takes longer to cook and has a different taste and texture. Typically, it costs less. I prefer wild rice from Leech Lake and White Earth reservations. The Red Lake reservation people will get teased about their paddy rice.
My husband loves wild rice and went ricing for school clothes as a boy. I should say that wild rice is the only rice he will eat. He doesn't eat pasta either as he says rice and pasta make your arms shrink. Who knows, not me. I think it is a joke for anything he chooses not to eat.
He prefers wild rice in a hotdish with ground beef, Campbells mushroom, celery, and chicken soups with nothing else. Because I am allergic to beef, I cook this dish with chicken. He eats it, but not as much, which is okay with me. He can get his favorite at potlucks or family gatherings.
Because I don't care for Campbells soup, I use alfredo sauce, from a jar or homemade alfredo with parmesan cheese. I also use onion, celery, green pepper, red pepper, and other seasonings. And I have been known to add tater tots on top of the casserole/hotdish.
My kids didn't go ricing, even though they liked the idea of missing a few days of school to go, but they love to eat wild rice dishes, as do my grandchildren.
My two brothers who riced the most in our family have continued to rice on occasion, even though they are now in their 60s. I will occasionally get rice from them as a gift, or be able to purchase rice from them. I never run out of rice and cook it at least monthly.
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Mikeydred's monthly dollar prompt - see below.
About the Creator
Denise E Lindquist
I am married with 7 children, 28 grands, and 13 great-grandchildren. I am a culture consultant part-time. I write A Poem a Day in February for 8 years now. I wrote 4 - 50,000 word stories in NaNoWriMo. I write on Vocal/Medium daily.
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More stories from Denise E Lindquist and writers in Earth and other communities.
Water Walkers
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Her recent remarks — interpreted in Beijing as provocative and aligned with a more assertive military posture — appear to have crossed a red line for Chinese authorities. While Beijing did not frame its decision explicitly as retaliation, the timing left little doubt. China announced restrictions on the export of certain rare earth elements and other materials deemed sensitive for military applications, specifically targeting shipments to Japan. The message was unmistakable: political rhetoric has consequences, and China is prepared to use its economic leverage to enforce boundaries. Why Rare Earths Matter So Much Rare earth elements are not rare in geological terms, but they are extremely difficult and costly to process. China dominates global refining capacity, giving it outsized influence over supply chains essential to modern technology. 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What makes this case particularly sensitive is its explicit link to military use, pushing the dispute beyond economics and firmly into national security territory. For Beijing, the logic is straightforward. If rivals frame China as a threat, China will respond by reminding them of their dependencies. Japan’s Strategic Dilemma Tokyo now faces a difficult balancing act. On one hand, Japan has been steadily strengthening its defense posture in response to regional threats, including North Korea’s missile program and China’s growing military presence. On the other, it remains deeply integrated into China-centered supply chains. The export ban reinforces long-standing fears within Japan about overreliance on a single supplier for critical materials. It also strengthens arguments among Japanese policymakers for diversifying supply chains, investing in domestic processing, and deepening cooperation with allies. However, diversification takes time and money. Alternative suppliers exist, but scaling up production and refining capacity outside China is neither quick nor cheap. In the short term, Japan must manage the immediate impact while signaling resolve without provoking further escalation. Regional and Global Implications China’s decision is being closely watched across the region and beyond. For the United States and its allies, it underscores the strategic risks of concentrated supply chains and the urgency of building resilient alternatives. Washington has already been pushing for closer coordination with allies on critical minerals, including rare earths. The move against Japan may accelerate these efforts, encouraging deeper cooperation between the U.S., Japan, Australia, and European partners. At the same time, the episode adds another layer of tension to an already volatile regional environment. With disputes over Taiwan, maritime boundaries, and military modernization simmering, economic pressure increases the risk of miscalculation. A Message Beyond Japan While Japan is the immediate target, the signal is global. Beijing is reminding other countries that political statements, particularly on security matters, are not cost-free. The use of export controls as a response to rhetoric — not just policy actions — suggests a lowering threshold for economic retaliation. For middle powers navigating between China and the West, this creates a chilling effect. Governments may think twice before making public statements that could invite economic consequences, even when those statements align with domestic political priorities. Critics argue that such tactics undermine trust and accelerate decoupling. Supporters within China counter that the country is merely defending its interests in a hostile international environment. The Risk of Accelerated Decoupling Ironically, China’s use of export restrictions may hasten the very outcome it seeks to avoid: reduced dependence on Chinese supply chains. Each instance of economic pressure reinforces the perception that reliance on China carries political risk. Japan has already begun investing in rare earth recycling, alternative sourcing, and partnerships with resource-rich countries. This latest move is likely to intensify those efforts, even if it comes at higher short-term costs. Over time, a more diversified global supply chain could weaken China’s leverage. But in the near term, Beijing’s dominance remains a powerful tool — one it appears willing to use. Conclusion: Trade as a Battlefield China’s ban on certain rare earth and strategic exports to Japan is more than a trade dispute. It is a vivid example of how economic power is being deployed as a strategic weapon in a world defined by rivalry and mistrust. For Japan, the episode is a wake-up call about vulnerability and resilience. For China, it is a demonstration of strength and deterrence. And for the rest of the world, it is a reminder that in today’s geopolitical landscape, supply chains are as consequential as alliances. As tensions continue to rise, one thing is clear: the era of neutral trade is fading. In its place stands a world where economics and politics are tightly bound — and where a single comment can ripple through global markets and military planning alike.
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Comments (3)
That sure sounds delicious! May I know what's the difference between wild rice and regular rice?
I really like wild rice dishes too. I remember reading in a history book about some tribes going to where food grows on the water. Good job.
I know I have told you a thousand times, but learning about your culture and about another part of the country is one of the many things I appreciate about your writings. Thank you! I love any kind of rice...not so much potatoes, though.