Milestones
Four generations. One family. The same commitment to the highest-quality wild rice.
Peter Ratuski · The Beginning
For over 80 years, the Ratuski Family has been selling wild rice. It began in the early 1900’s with the late Peter Ratuski. He owned a small grocery store in Red Lake, Ontario where he started purchasing wild rice at six cents a pound, or traded groceries for it, from the local Indigenous People of Ontario. With a growing inventory of wild rice, Peter saw an opportunity to sell this nutritious, flavorful grain and created Shoal Lake Wild Rice Ltd.
Ben & Bill · Expansion
Shoal Lake Wild Rice was eventually passed on to Peter’s sons, Ben and Bill. In 1968, the Ratuski brothers realized the demand for wild rice wasn’t just seasonal, so Shoal Lake Wild Rice bought its first milling equipment, and went into production year-round. They also looked for new areas to sell, and traveled the United States and different parts of the world such as Spain and Japan. Due to the growing popularity of wild rice recipes, the brothers were able to start supplying world-class wild rice to a broader audience throughout the United States as well as different parts of the world.
Mille Lacs & Innovation
With their business steadily growing, the Ratuski’s decided to purchase the Mille Lacs Wild Rice Corporation in Aitkin, Minnesota. The brothers began processing wild rice cultivated within the state of Minnesota, as well as from northern California, while progressively increasing their market reach from Aitkin. Ben’s son Chris began operating Mille Lacs Wild Rice Corporation in the early 1980s, and purchased it fully from his father and uncle in the early 2000s.
Chris & Joe · Roasting Innovation
Chris set out to pioneer a new era of wild rice distribution by building a new state-of-the-art mill that roasts newly harvested wild rice in a way that preserves all nutrients and flavor while reducing preparation and cooking time. This unique process remains unrivaled in the market today. As the company continues to grow, Chris's son Joe has become more involved to ensure the legacy continues well into the future.
Bohdan "Ben" Ratuski
September 8ths, 1935 - October 11th, 2020
Ben’s strong work ethic and entrepreneurial nature were the cornerstone of the businesses he built in Kenora including Shoal Lake Fisheries, Shoal Lake Wild Rice, and the Canoe brand. He was a respected leader in the wild rice industry both in Canada and the United States. Entrepreneur, Sportsman, Father, and the image of what “Canoe Wild Rice” has become.