Redesigning Wild Rice Harvesting Equipment to Support Indigenous Economic Growth

Local knowledge, lived experience, and community priorities formed the foundation for an innovative new wild rice harvesting boat design. Led by the Agricultural Equipment Technician program head, a Saskatchewan Polytechnic team collaborated with NWC Wild Rice Company and Indigenous producers in northern Saskatchewan. This community engagement was central to the project’s success. Working with Indigenous wild rice producers, the team designed, built, and tested prototype harvester boats that integrate modern engines for efficiency and repairability, GPS technology, bespoke attachments, and a refined hull design. The redesigned boats address producers’ priorities by doubling harvesting capacity, improving fuel efficiency, increasing operator safety, and ensuring ease of maintenance and repair. These improvements are delivering meaningful benefits to Indigenous harvesters and strengthening the economic sustainability of community-owned wild rice businesses. In December 2025, the team delivered three boats to NWC, supporting livelihoods in northern communities and contributing to economic reconciliation.

Innovators

• Quintin Dudragne, Instructor, Agricultural Equipment Technician
• Chris Thomson, Program Head, Agricultural Equipment Technician