Historic Wild Rice Restoration Underway in Detroit River

Tribal partners work to bring back sacred grain that disappeared from ancestral waters

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:10am

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A bold, abstract painting in earthy tones of green, brown, and blue, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex ecological and cultural significance of wild rice restoration in the Detroit River.The restoration of wild rice in the Detroit River honors the cultural heritage of the Nottawaseppi tribe while also reviving a threatened species and enriching the local ecosystem.Today in Detroit

The Nottawaseppi tribe and five conservation partners have begun planting wild rice at Humbug Marsh and Belle Isle in the Detroit River, where the sacred grain once thrived before development and pollution eliminated major stands. The project serves as both ecological restoration and cultural tribute, honoring First Nations heritage while creating habitat for wildlife in the recovering Detroit River ecosystem.

Why it matters

Wild rice, Michigan's official state grain and a threatened species, holds deep cultural significance for the Nottawaseppi tribe and other First Nations. Restoring it to the Detroit River, the ancestral homeland of the Nottawaseppi, raises awareness of tribal history and culture in a region that often overlooks it, while also benefiting the river's recovering ecosystem.

The details

In September 2025, the Nottawaseppi tribe and conservation partners, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Michigan Department of Natural Resources, planted wild rice harvested from the tribe's Pine Creek Indian Reservation in two locations: the Monguagon Delta of Humbug Marsh and Belle Isle's Lake Okonoka. The goal is to protect and help the sacred plant thrive in its historical waters, without any initial harvesting.

  • In September 2025, wild rice was planted in Humbug Marsh and Belle Isle.
  • This summer, partners will closely monitor for the return of wild rice in these locations.

The players

Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi

A federally recognized tribal government with over 1,500 members, the Nottawaseppi is an advocate for wild rice restoration throughout Michigan and spearheaded the effort to designate it as the state's official grain in 2023.

Kevin Harris

A cultural specialist of the Nottawaseppi tribe, Harris is leading the effort to restore wild rice in the Detroit River, the homeland of his ancestors.

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

Owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the refuge includes the Humbug Marsh where wild rice was planted as part of this restoration project.

Belle Isle

The 982-acre island park in Detroit, owned by the city and managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, is another site where wild rice was planted.

Greg Norwood

An ecologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Norwood says wild rice's return would be a symbol of reverence for the Detroit River and its ecological resilience.

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What they’re saying

“Wild rice or Mno-men is a staple of our Neshnabek diet. It is one of the sacred gifts from the Creator we use in cultural ceremonies and traditions, and in strengthening our food sovereignty.”

— Kevin Harris, Cultural Specialist, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi

“Both the restoration of wild rice and our partnership with First Nations are core commitments of the refuge. Wild rice carries deep cultural meaning for First Nations and also enriches the ecosystem, offering shelter, food, and resting habitat for a wide range of bird species.”

— Dan Kennedy, Refuge Manager, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

“If successful, this Nottawaseppi-led restoration effort would be more than an ecological demonstration project – it would be a living tribute to the First Nations who first cared for these lands and waters.”

— Dan Kennedy, Refuge Manager, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

What’s next

This summer, the partners will closely monitor for the return of wild rice in Humbug Marsh and on Belle Isle. Harris will also share the restoration story at the State of the Strait Conference in September, where the focus will be on rewilding efforts.

The takeaway

The restoration of wild rice in the Detroit River not only benefits the ecosystem, but also honors the cultural heritage and traditional practices of the Nottawaseppi tribe and other First Nations. This collaborative effort demonstrates the power of Indigenous knowledge and partnerships in reviving threatened species and restoring ecological balance.