What do Manoomin and Bannock mean, and what are some examples?

Manoomin" and "Bannock" refer to two different types of traditional foods from indigenous cultures in North America.

Manoomin is the Ojibwe word for "wild rice." This type of rice is actually the seed of aquatic grasses that grow in the lakes, rivers, and wetlands of the Great Lakes region, particularly in areas around Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and parts of Canada. Native American tribes in these areas have harvested manoomin for centuries as an important part of their diet. It is considered sacred by many tribes. A traditional way to prepare manoomin is to cook it by boiling it in water, sometimes with herbs or meats added for flavor.

Bannock, on the other hand, is a type of bread that originates from indigenous peoples in Canada and is also found in some native cultures of Alaska and the Northwestern United States. It is a simple, flat bread that can be baked or fried and made with various flours—often wheat flour or maize but traditionally might have included ground plant roots or bark. Bannock is quick to make and can be easily adapted with additional ingredients like fruits or nuts. It was a staple food that could be prepared over an open fire during nomadic times.

Examples of Manoomin and Bannock:

Manoomin example: Traditional wild rice soup, which would include manoomin cooked in a broth with vegetables, meats (such as deer or duck), and herbs.

Bannock example: Fried bannock dough that might be served with honey or jam as a dessert, or with main dishes as a staple carbohydrate, similar to how one would serve bread or rolls.