Roger LaBine is an enrolled member of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (LVD) and employed in the Environmental and Planning Department as a Water Resource Technician.
He is the current tribal delegate on the Michigan Wild Rice Initiative, Co-Chairman of the Native Wild Rice Coalition, was a member of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Wolf Advisory Committee, a member of the MDNR Moose Advisory Committee, and a member of the U.S. Ottawa National Forest Interpretive Association Board. LaBine sat on the Voigt Task Force as a LVD Tribal Representative and is the recipient of the “2019 Heritage Award” from the State of Michigan and the Michigan State University Museum Board of Directors for his work with Manoomin Restoration and Preservation.
Roger is an active member of the Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge. He is active in the preservation of Wild Rice through continued restoration efforts of rice beds for his community on traditional and historic tribal lands and in the surrounding area lakes and rivers. He shares his knowledge through conducting Manoomin Camps and workshops on his traditional homelands, Michigan, and throughout the Midwest. He was inspired by his Uncle Niigaanaash (knee-gone-nosh) who was also his teacher and Mentor.
TSN Conference 2025:
- January 24th, 2025 (Friday) // 8:35 am – 9:35 am // Big Ten Room // “Developing Partnerships with Indigenous Communities”