Braiding Sweetgrass
Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Book - 2013 | First edition
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9781571313560
Opinion
From Library Staff
From Library Staff
"An inspired weaving of indigenous knowledge, plant science, and personal narrative from a distinguished professor of science and a Native American whose previous book, Gathering Moss, was awarded the John Burroughs Medal for outstanding nature writing. Robin Wall Kimmerer has spent a career... Read More »
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rosixdosi
Oct 19, 2019
“When a language dies, so much more than words are lost. Language is the dwelling place of ideas that do not exist anywhere else. It is a prism through which to see the world. Tom says that even words as basic as numbers are imbued with layers of meaning. The numbers we use to count plants in the sweetgrass meadow also recall the Creation Story. Én:ska—one. This word invokes the fall of Skywoman from the world above. All alone, én:ska, she fell toward the earth. But she was not alone, for in her womb a second life was growing. Tékeni—there were two. Skywoman gave birth to a daughter, who bore twin sons and so then there were three— áhsen. Every time the Haudenosaunee count to three in their own language, they reaffirm their bond to Creation.”
rosixdosi
Oct 19, 2019
“Action on behalf of life transforms. Because the relationship between self and the world is reciprocal, it is not a question of first getting enlightened or saved and then acting. As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us.”
DBRL_ReginaF
Apr 26, 2018
“This is really why I made my daughters learn to garden—so they would always have a mother to love them, long after I am gone.”
Summary
Add a SummarySo much ground is covered is this one book. It speaks to the poet, the scientist, the mother, the conservationist, and the friend; the list goes on and on. Read this to discover the unyielding power of generosity and how a mindful, reciprocal relationship with the earth can ACTUALLY enact positive change.
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Add a CommentThis is one of my all-time favorite reads. The blending of traditional and scientific ways of knowing the world combine to create a beautiful appreciation of the natural world.
Lovely read. Well written and interweaves different ways of knowing the world in a positive and valuable way.
Essays that lend depth to our understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things and a point of view based on Indigenous history and teachings giving meaning to words like gratitude, reciprocity and home. A Milkweed Editions publication.
Some of Kimmerer’s essays just took my breath away. Having spent time outdoors in both parts of New York and Oregon, settings for much of her work, I could be right in her settings with her. Hope my gardening friends pick this one up; I waited months for a library copy. Interesting that just as it came it got a shout-out from 'Vesper Flights' writer Helen MacDonald when she was interviewed for the recent Minnesota Public Radio/Star Tribune ‘Talking Volumes.’ Perfect reading for this time.
Let's start with respect for the land and gratitude for every morsel we take from it.
"we perpetrate the illusion that the things we consume have just fallen off the back of Santa's sleigh, not been ripped from the earth. The illusion enables us to imagine that the only choices we have are between brands."
Resurging as a bestseller for this dark covidtime.
This book reads like home.
Rec by Jane Sept 2020
A book that combines ecology, mythology, and observation to show how we can nurture the planet. Beginning with a challenge to rethink our potential for positive interaction & reciprocity with the Earth, Robin Wall Kimmerer brings in examples from her family, community, and Potawatomi tradition to consider ways in which we might begin to evolve our relationship into something mutual & beautiful. I would describe this book as "radically corny," that is, earnest & Utopic in a way that most of us raised in capitalist consumer societies might find frankly embarrassing (e.g. "A garden is the land's way of saying 'I love you"). However it's also very inspiring: one cannot help but be moved by Kimmerer's vision of a Congress that begins its sessions with a prayer of gratitude to Mother Earth. This is one of the few "feel-good" environmentalist texts that encourages meaningful rituals & relationships with the planet.
Beautifully written, this is a perspective that more people need to hear. I especially enjoyed listening to the author read the audio book. I learned so much! I'll definitely return to reread this one.
Beautifully articulated!