a-spoon-is-born:

Wild rice isn’t actually rice-it’s a grass seed that grows naturally in lakes in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and it’s been an indigenous staple food for many, many centuries. Although some corporations have taken and grown “wild rice” in paddies, it is not the same thing- it is actually a hybrid seed that is not the same quality and often sold for a higher price anyways.

Not only is the wild rice a sacred food, but is a form of Indigenous science that lets you know how healthy the water is (or isn’t), because water is life and affects the health of all people, plants, and animals that live with it. This has been belatedly acknowledged by very recent research from the University of Minnesota that the health of the wild rice can predict all health of lakes and streams.

I buy my wild rice from the Red Lake Nation and the White Earth Nation.

The cool thing about buying from the White Earth Nation is that they also have videos showing the traditional processes involved in harvesting and parching the rice, and they offer stuff like gift baskets, chokecherry preserves, maple candy, soup & pancake mix, and cookbooks which make great gifts!

What I like about buying from the Red Lake Nation is there is a massive variety and quantity of different wild rice products at many different prices! They are aware that the broken grains are not as quality, but it doesn’t go to waste-you can buy the broken grains for “Soup Bits” ($3.49) which are an inexpensive way to add flavor & nutrition to soups and stews. They also offer “Quick Cook” wild rice ($5.69), which is prepared from a lighter roast/parch process that allows the grains to cook in a shorter amount of time and has a rich, traditional flavor.

You can also buy syrups and jellies made from hand harvested hawthorn, chokecherry, and highbush cranberry there.

BUT! If you’re worried about shipping costs or like me, are disabled/have limited mobility and can’t always get to the store like you might prefer,Red Lake Nation also sells their rice through Amazon, eligible for Prime shipping. This is also good for those, Native or not, who are struggling in the community and share their wishlists for help purchasing food.(Also please know this post is only meant to share information, not to make anyone feel bad or imply they’re eating “inferior” food.)

If you’re interested in finding out what other nations cultivate and sell/trade wild rice, there’s a partial list here of where you can buy hand-harvested wild rice from native people in the Great Lakes region

sky-rose-of-night:

We just need one more vote to save net neutrality. Just one. I know I’m not one to get involved in political stuff, but when it comes to the freedom of our internet I will do all I can to help save it.

We need 218 votes to win the House. We have 158 votes right now. we need 60 more before the 23rd of April or we are going to lose everything that our beloved internet stands for.

YouTube videos? GONE!

The ability to research for papers and to get information regarding certain topics? History!

The toy-customizing and reviewing world that makes us laugh? NO MORE!

WE NEED 60 VOTES TO SAVE OUR INTERNET! CONTACT YOUR SENATORS! TWEET THEM! E-MAIL THEM! CALL THEM!

DO ALL THAT YOU CAN TO SAVE THE INTERNET FROM CORRUPTION BY THOSE WHO WISH TO THROTTLE AND CHARGE US FOR THE THINGS WE LOVE!

aoidaikallea:

Thunderer

The sky is bigger in Texas, you know,
so big and blue you can almost drink it,
so big that looking at the horizon you can imagine the curve
of the earth, the swell of Gaia’s breast.

I know Zeus then,
when his eyes are bright sunny blue and his laughter
easy,

but a god’s smile is always sharp, you know,

and so when his eyes darken to grey,
not bright like his favored daughter,
but true, dark grey
dark like the bellies of supercells,
the wombs of cyclones,
his fist full of blue fire and his voice
a howl,

I know him then, that lordly son of Kronos,
I know him as I know my home.