An Unforgettable Trip to White Earth Nation
Over the years, Aaron had regaled me with captivating stories about Powwow and his family’s rich heritage, deeply intertwined with the culture and traditions of the Chippewa Indians and the White Earth Nation. I was unable to visit years ago as he and his brother made the trek back, and after listening to his description of the festivities, my appetite was salivating with anticipation of the exceptional food, sights and sounds of the powwow grounds. As a photographer, I initially felt intimidated. My deep passion for photographing people was often at odds with my strong desire to remain unobtrusive and respectful to any culture or individuals I encountered. Not to mention, meeting his extended family for the very first time brought on a wave of nervousness, which felt unusual for me given my usual confidence in social situations. Boy was I in for a real treat!
Resting amongst the reeds of Lower Rice Lake, this canoe awaits the upcoming Wild Rice Harvest.
Before leaving Wisconsin and pointing Raven our motorhome north to the small town of Ogema, I poured over the WEN (White Earth Nation) website gleaning as much information as possible about the history of the area and the Tribe. I knew they were famous for their wild rice, which is carefully harvested using traditional methods that involve paddling through the waters in a canoe and open to tribal members via a lottery. If you’ve never sampled their wild rice, stop reading and click on realwildrice.shop and do yourself a favor and order at least 5 lbs. The website also features a wide variety of delicious recipes, each carefully crafted to satisfy different tastes and preferences. The seasoned wild rice, in particular, stands out as a true delight to behold and enjoy, bursting with rich flavors and perfect texture. One friendly warning: once you’ve had the pleasure of tasting their rice, you’ll find all others simply can’t compare and may leave you wanting more! My favorite sampling at Powwow was a wild rice parfait. I’ll never have short cake again - the rice was soooo good layered with fruit and whip creme. Truly amazing! On the second day of Powwow I finally got the courage to bring the camera along. The stadium style seating necessitated I bring my long lens (100-600mm) and brace myself with my arms glued tightly to my side for several hours which left my arms sore for days (more upper body workouts in my future)! Check out a few of the photos I took along with our video showcasing the incredible beauty of White Earth Nation. I am truly in awe of the stunning landscape, the warmth and strength of the people, and their rich traditions, customs, and vibrant culture. It’s an experience that stays with you long after you leave.
