Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

Seldom has a book appealed to me on so many levels of how I would define a good book. My reading lists are eclectic, and I wander around, much like how I garden, easily distracted by a new question, a new development. A good friend, whose reading interests are much like mine, mentioned this book as one she was reading, and thoroughly enjoying. I read an excerpt, some reviews, and soon had the book in my hand, causing me to put away my other “good reads”. I become engrossed in a book that is part memoir, part scientific exploration, part environmental awareness and activism, and part spiritual guide. “As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer brings these two lenses of knowledge together to take us on ‘a journey that is every bit as mythic as it is scientific, as sacred as it is historical, as clever as it is wise’ (Elizabeth Gilbert).” (Amazon) Her journey takes me to her ancestral homeland, and other parts of the country, including the Oregon coast, as she leads the reader on various journeys and lessons in life, heritage, scientific study, personal reflections and conversations. Kimmerer is a gardener, herbalist, teacher, mother, healer, philosopher, someone who becomes your soul mate. Her journey, her questions, her wonderings inspire me, and provoke my curiosities, and feed my sense of wonderment and awe for our world, our gardens, and our search for place and purpose. Her clear, engaging writing encourages my own exploration of gardening, the science, the poetic, the sense of place, the tranquility and the sense of community with others. Her teachings inspire me to examine my own philosophy, my own intellectual and spiritual pursuit of gardening and being part of the natural world, as well as reflect on our culture and stewardship of the earth. On dark winter evenings, and in stolen moments between chores preparing for the holidays, I found myself taking notes, and often reflecting on her wisdom, and the poetry in her writing. This book is to be enjoyed on many levels and will appeal to all of us who ponder the mysteries of nature and how we relate to the world around us. I found myself ordering more copies, for the gardeners and nature lovers on my Christmas gift list, knowing that they too will find this book one of the best reads on a cold winter’s night.

In a world plagued by environmental degradation and a growing disconnect between humanity and nature, "Braiding Sweetgrass" emerges as a beacon of hope and a powerful call to action for the next generation. Written with passion, connection, and root deep understanding of the urgent need for change, this book serves as a guidebook for all minds seeking to live harmoniously with the earth and restore our planet to the home she once was. From the very first page, the author's love for Mother Earth shines through, captivating readers with her heartfelt words and unwavering belief in the power of connection and action. The book's central theme revolves around the restoration of both our hearts and the environment, emphasizing the intrinsic connection between the two. It beautifully weaves together like a native basket personal anecdotes, scientific research, and inspiring stories of environmental leaders, creating a compelling narrative that resonates with the hearts of all who read this book. One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its ability to engage and inspire the next generation. The author's writing style is accessible and relatable, making complex environmental issues and solutions easily understandable for all readers. By presenting heart felt, connected solutions and highlighting the impact individuals can have, the book instills a sense of empowerment and encourages readers to take action in their own lives by building a sense of responsibility and reciprocity with the world around them. Moreover, "Braiding Sweetgrass" goes beyond mere environmentalism, delving into the emotional and spiritual aspects of our relationship with nature. It delves into the profound connection between our own well-being and the health of the planet, urging readers to cultivate a deep sense of empathy and responsibility towards the Earth. This holistic approach sets the book apart, as it recognizes that true change begins within ourselves. The author's passion for the subject matter is contagious, and her unwavering optimism shines through even in the face of daunting challenges. She skillfully navigate the fine line between raising awareness about the severity of the environmental crisis and inspiring hope for a better future. By emphasizing the importance of collective action and the potential for positive change, the book leaves readers feeling motivated and ready to make a difference. "Braiding Sweetgrass" is a timely and essential read for anyone concerned about the future of our planet. It serves as a whisper from our past, reminding us that we hold the power and responsibility to heal and restore our environment. Through its powerful storytelling and thought-provoking insights, this book has the potential to ignite a generation of passionate environmental stewards who will work tirelessly to protect and preserve our Earth Mother. In conclusion, "Braiding Sweetgrass" is a remarkable book that not only educates but also inspires and empowers readers to take action. It is a must-read for elders, parents, educators, and anyone who believes in the transformative power of this generation and the next generation. Let this book be the drum beat for change, as it restores our hearts and renews our commitment to heal and restore our environment.

Braiding Sweetgrass is one of the most profoundly moving and illuminating books I’ve read in a long time. Kimmerer is a distinguished professor of Environmental Biology and an enrolled member of the of the Potawatomi Nation, a northern tribe whose ancestral lands are around the Great Lakes. Broken treaties with the US Government finally forced them to move to Indian Territory in Oklahoma. Sweetgrass is translated as the “sweet smelling hair of Mother Earth” and represent the union of mind, body and spirit. In the preface, Kimmerer describes the book as “a braid of stories to heal our relationship with the world.” She weaves together science, spirt and story “that can be medicine for our broken relationship with earth.” Each chapter is to be savored and read slowly. Her prose is achingly beautiful, moving me to tears of wonder as she describes the interrelationship of various plants, such as the brilliant symbiosis of 'The Three Sisters,' beans, squash and corn. Or – the amazing life cycle of the pecan tree or the many uses of cattails; who knew? I was also moved to tears of grief when she describes the horrible legacy of the Indian Boarding Schools in the late 1800’s. The schools were a form of cultural genocide, but the stories, wisdom and knowledge of native lifeways went underground and endured, a testament to the resiliency of native peoples. The basic premise of the book is reciprocity and an ‘I – Thou’ relationship with all of creation, to borrow a phrase from Martin Buber. The land gives back to us when we care for the land. Plants, animals, insects, etc. – are all ‘family,’ and one is much less likely (or at least, think twice) about inflicting harm when the relationship is personal, heartfelt and genuine. Gratitude is the other overarching theme, which is strongly rooted in Native cultures. She describes the Thanksgiving Address of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which begins a school day or before an important meeting. It is gratitude directed to all of the earth’s species on land and water (including water itself.) The entire address can take up to an hour, as thanks is bestowed upon each element. Each segment ends with “Now our minds are one.” If you don’t read the book, I recommend looking up the Thanksgiving Address. It can be shortened to incorporate into a daily gratitude practice. In my view, this book is a masterpiece of ecological, historical non-fiction. It is inspiring and hopeful; a call to action. As Kimmerer says…”we are the ones who will bend to the task of putting things back together to rekindle the flames of the sacred fire to begin the rebirth of a nation.”

This book helps weave together scientific and spiritual ways of understanding our world and our relationships with it. Kimmerer’s writing is immersive, informative, and accessible. It’s hard to imagine walking away from reading this book without feeling you’ve experienced something both beautiful and worldview-changing.

I especially liked the confluence of old Indigenous traditions with biology and scientific knowledge. It was fascinating to see how two very different ways of understanding nature can complement each other. It’s a thoughtful, beautifully written book that made me stop and look at the world around me a little differently.

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer gives a wildly new perspective on plant life and their relationship to humans. Wall Kimmerer takes us through experiences and knowledge she has gained in her life through her connection to both science and Indigenous Wisdom. Wall Kimmerer discusses the near annihilation of Indigenous people’s traditions, ideas, and languages. Not to mention their removal from their lands and their cultural assimilation into the new European-American culture. This was forced upon Indigenous people and there are still lasting effects to this day that they strive to counteract. Language is only carried on through elders that wish to pass on the language and culture to the youth. Robin Wall Kimmerer is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and had felt disconnected from her Native American roots because of the strong American identity that had been forced upon Native Americans when Europeans arrived. By dedicating much of her time to the study of plants and the connections she can find to Indigenous Wisdom she has been able to combine both perspectives as objectively as she can. She stresses the importance of the relationship between humans and the natural world. She claims that Mother Earth is showing love to us with the gift of her plants and animals and that we must show our love back and treat her with respect. For example, you must ask plants permission before you utilize them, must give an offering (in many cases some tobacco sprinkled on the ground), and must show gratitude to the Earth and the plants that replenish us. On the other hand, Wall Kimmerer discusses the negative and surprisingly positive externalities that are observed due to humans and inflicted on the Earth. As you might have guessed pollution is a big negative effect along with overhunting and the disturbance of ecosystems. However, Wall Kimmerer discovers that harvesting sweetgrass in the way that she was taught through Indigenous people is actually beneficial for the sweetgrass. Without being harvested the sweetgrass starts to die because of overcrowding and other factors. However, the harvested sweetgrass plots were flourishing. This of course relates to the title of the book which draws on the idea that Sweetgrass was one of the four sacred plants to the Potawatomi people. Wall Kimmerer does an excellent job portraying the importance of having a mutual relationship between nature and humans. Prior to reading this book I had no idea that there was this vital relationship between us. Wall Kimmerer utilizes the relationship between her and her daughters to help readers understand that Earth shows love to us just as a mother does to her children. I thought that this was a brilliant comparison between two seemingly unrelated topics. It was a great way to explain that the plants that are provided for us on Earth aid us in living our daily lives to the fullest and it seems that we ignore her gift and repay her with pollution and overusing her gifts. Just as children sometimes forget the importance of their mothers and how grateful they should be for the numerous things they do for them everyday. Another concept that Wall Kimmerer presents beautifully that adds to the book as a whole is the relationship between corn, beans, and squash as described from stories she’d heard from other Native people. They were regarded as the Three Sisters. Kimmerer compares this to the structure of human families when she says “The firstborn girl knows that she is clearly in charge; tall and direct, upright and efficient, she creates the template for everyone else to follow. That’s the corn sister...This bean girl [middle sister] learns to be flexible, adaptable, to find a way around the dominant structure to get the light that she needs. The sweet baby sister is free to choose a different path, as expectations have already been fulfilled. Well grounded, she has nothing to prove and finds her own way, a way that contributes to the good of the whole” (p.132). The plants grow in the same way as the sisters progress in life. In their own ways to come together as a collective whole. This connection truly struck me because it reminded me of my own family and my two younger siblings. Surprisingly, her description matched my family pretty well. This is a terrific way to get the reader to truly humanize the plants in a sense. As a species we tend to place things that are not as advanced as us (by our own standards if I might add) in a category below us. Yet this comparison truly allows us to look at these plants as equals with social structures just as ours. They simply communicate through methods other than speech. Overall, this was a lovely book that picks up on the relationship between the human world and the natural world and really made me rethink a lot about picking random flowers on the street without asking them if I can first. She utilizes her life experience perfectly in order to recount her journey to a more respectful way of treating the environment around her. This book will make you rethink your actions towards the environment and get you thinking deeper about what we can do to keep plant knowledge alive.

I’m in a Facebook group that is what they call a “safe space.” It’s intended to be free from anything offensive, and I’ve genuinely learned quite a bit about how to be a more safe person. I was unaware of the term “ableist” prior to this group and I had no idea that there was anything called a “closed religion” or a “closed culture.” In one heated discussion thread, a member of the Orthodox Jewish community left the comment: “My religion is not for your entertainment.” Those words have stuck with me for a while. The remainder of the thread was an argument amongst two member of different Native American tribes, and the aforementioned Jewish person. One woman commented that, closed religion/culture or not, education goes a lot way to clear the path towards understanding, acceptance, and thus end discrimination and hatred towards any groups. That whole conversation has been taking up space in my brain for a long time. It’s not up to me to decide whether either of those points are correct. I think they both have value. However, I am an intensely curious human, so I struggle with the idea that closed religions or cultures should remain shrouded in mystery, but again, none of that is up to me. I do, however, sincerely appreciate the information I can find on closed religions and cultures, because I feel like I can be a better human by understanding others. Diversity is powerful, and a path to embracing diversity is forged through understanding and acceptance. When my co-admin of my online book club suggested this book for one of our selections, I jumped at the chance to read it. I was completely impressed that this woman decided to marry her love for botanical science with the Indigenous knowledge she grew up learning and continued to learn along the way. I will never underscore the importance of education, but as a former educator, I will also never underscore the importance of knowledge learned through lifetimes of doing. The Indigenous of North America have a vastly different relationship with the land than others, with the key being the word “relationship.” The view is that it has to be symbiotic, not one-sided, and it makes far more sense to me than the idea the land is simply there for humans to take from. Kimmerer’s book is like a series of vignettes; short stories, if you will, that illustrate how the Indigenous live with the land. I personally noticed that simply observing and appreciating the natural world can provide an abundance of insight that she was eventually able to apply to her institutional studies. Throughout this book, it is easy to see that she has a deep appreciation for all things “nature,” and I loved every part of it. I would recommend this book to anybody. There is a lot of knowledge contained within the stories in this book, and anybody with a heartbeat could benefit from reading it.

I’m really glad I bought this in hardcover. It’s really well made and the book is a keeper, worth handing down to my granddaughter. I didn’t highlight it for once because the book quality is that good. It takes a lot for me not to highlight. I knew this book would be special after reading the first few pages. The outlook on life and tradition seemed authentic to me, although I can’t really judge this because I am not from this culture. It gave me a good perspective on what is important and reverent in life. Don’t hesitate to buy it and go for the hardcover.

This is Wisdom. Love this book! 5 stars!

About our place within the living ecosystem, this is a book profound in its reach that reminds us about right relationship with the natural world and each other. By shifting paradigms of community through indigeneous memories and with its emphasis on balance and humility, it is a book that offers a healing gift to a toxic world.

Excellent book

I loved this book and bought a friend a copy too. Beautiful, heartwarming. Shares her touching story of coming back to her ancestral roots and the nostalgia of lost ways and personal journey of reclaiming and rediscovering her relationship with/ connection to the land.

I found this book when searching for something that covered indigenous wisdom. I couldn’t have been luckier. Robinson writes so poetically and insightfully. Thank you, Robin for sharing this with me. It’s profound.