Pictured above: wild rice awns (the long thread like piece at the top of each seed husk) under 10x magnification.
Curious to get out of your own way in your writing? Writer’s block holding you up? Inner critic having a ball putting you down? Gateless might be for you! I don’t teach you to write better. I hold no MFA, I’m a scientist in fact, an observer of nature, and a certified Gateless Facilitator.
Writing in Community brings insight, fresh perspective and surprising results, as well as new friendships. Stay tuned for upcoming online offerings, sign-up to get information on our retreats (Sept. 19-22 in Ely, 2024) or reach out to work with me.
Wild Rice Connections was formed to bring attention to native wild rice, manoomin (Ojibwe). I am passionate about protecting and educating others about manoomin, the natural grain found nowhere else on earth as abundantly as it is found in Minnesota. Both Michigan and Wisconsin are working to return wild rice to waters which once held this annual native grass.
I share my knowledge and experience with wild rice through education and speaking events, and love to work with organizations or individuals who want to be allies in protecting and conserving our wild rice waters. Check out my manoomin page for resources, past and current projects.
Twenty years ago I stepped outside of expectations and returned to school. Not an easy choice when school was 500 miles from home, two young kids and a loving spouse. So began my journey with wild rice, writing and a sense of self that had stagnated for several years. I’m still on a journey of self-understanding, learning day by day. Along the way I encountered writing methods that build community and deepen creativity (Gateless Writing) and grew my passion for manoomin/wild rice education and conservation. This website is my offering.
So you want to harvest wild rice?
Writer and Ambassador of ConnectionAnnette Drewes, Ph.D.
