Rice Lake
Rice Lake is a body of water in Ontario.[1]
In Anishinabek News
- July 2024: The lake was historically 17 miles long and filled with Manoomin, providing food security and supporting muskrat populations. Much of the wild rice in the lake was lost when the Trent-Severn Waterway flooded the area.[2]
- July 2024: Rice Lake was a hub for canoe building in the 19th century and is the site of the Alderville Regatta. The lake was historically a significant area for the harvest and trade of wild rice by Alderville First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation.[3]
- April 2025: The Alderville First Nation is seeking legal personhood for this body of water to ensure its protection. The lake is facing a potential breaking point due to invasive weeds and declining oxygen levels.[4]
- December 2025: This lake is the first body of water in Ontario to be granted legal personhood. A guardians council consisting of harvesters, hunters, and local municipalities will be established to act as the legal voice for the lake. The legal status of the lake was announced internationally during the COP30 climate conference in Brazil.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "First Nation spearheads legal personhood recognition of Rice Lake", Anishinabek News, 4 December 2025 (archived copy; original article).
- ↑ "Upcoming gathering to connect Anishinaabe wild rice harvesters", Anishinabek News, 10 July 2024 (archived copy; original article).
- ↑ "Alderville First Nation welcomes back its classic Regatta with new additions", Anishinabek News, 26 July 2024 (archived copy; original article).
- ↑ "Protecting water a key discussion at Anishinabek Nation Water Consortium", Anishinabek News, 1 April 2025 (archived copy; original article).