Roger LaBine is an enrolled member of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Roger is a water resource technician in the tribe’s environmental department, with responsibilities including Manoomin restoration for the tribe’s ceded territory and water quality monitoring. He was inspired by his mentor and uncle who had a vision of Manoomin returning to the traditional lands, and has over 38 years of experience. Roger is the current tribal delegate on the Michigan Wild Rice Initiative, and he co-chairs the Native Wild Rice Coalition. He was the recipient of the 2019 Michigan Heritage Award presented by the Michigan State University Museum’s Michigan Traditional Arts Program in statewide partnership with the Michigan Council for the Arts & Cultural Affairs and the State of Michigan. He enjoys visiting tribal communities, schools, and colleges, and conducts wild rice camps to share the cultural, spiritual, ceremonial, and traditional importance of Manoomin. His personal goals focus on conservation, protection, restoration, and management of the limited resources in Michigan for present and future generations.
by