Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants
“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.”
― Robin Wall Kimmerer
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Another book that has received many comments at Energize Acton book displays is Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This book has been on the New York Times bestseller list for over five years! In this age of power politics and “the art of the deal” it says something that Braiding Sweetgrass has spoken to so many people for such an extended time.
The late Jane Goodall wrote of it this way. “Robin Wall Kimmerer has written an extraordinary book, showing how the factual, objective approach of science can be enriched by the ancient knowledge of the indigenous people. It is the way she captures beauty that I love the most—the images of giant cedars and wild strawberries, a forest in the rain and a meadow of fragrant sweetgrass will stay with you long after you read the last page.”
Many of you may have already read this text or parts of it. Whether you have read it or not, we invite you to join us for a discussion of some of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s guiding principles, exploring themes such as thanksgiving, reciprocity, and our relationship to the natural world. Our last book choice, Abundance, was reviewed as a “once-in-a-generation, paradigm-shifting call.” But Braiding Sweetgrass might better fit that description! Kimmerer, a trained botanist, knows the science of plants, but she also sees them as teachers. Rather than place humans at the pinnacle of all life, her First Nations perspective teaches that “humans are the younger brothers of Creation,” with a lot to learn from other species. That is definitely a shift in outlook!
As with every Book Club text, it is great if you can read the book, but it is not required. This month will be a zoom meeting. The host will prepare a brief outline of the text with key quotes and discussion points constructed in a way that all can participate. However, if you are able to focus on a handful of chapters, please consider the chapters listed below.
- Skywoman Falling
- The Gift of Strawberries
- Learning the Grammar of Animacy
- Allegiance to Gratitude
- The Honorable Harvest
- The Sacred and the Superfund
Thank you for caring about the natural world and for considering our small discussion! But big themes aside, pour yourself a cup of tea or other beverage, have a good time, and join us to celebrate the written word!
Register HERE.
EnergizeActon.org is sponsored by the Acton Climate Coalition and the Town of Acton Sustainability Office.
Would you like to help EnergizeActon.org? Contact us at EnergizeActon.org@gmail.com. We meet the first Wednesday of each month. However, there are many non-meeting ways to be involved. Thanks for your support!