Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a powerful blend of memoir, science, and Indigenous wisdom that explores the deep connection between humans and the natural world. Kimmerer, a botanist, educator, and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, weaves together personal stories and scientific insights to reflect on the gifts that nature provides, particularly focusing on the practice of plant gathering, such as the harvesting of sweetgrass, which is sacred to many Indigenous cultures. Through her exploration of reciprocity, she discusses the concept that we must give back to the earth what we take. Kimmerer reveals how Indigenous knowledge systems and scientific understanding can work in harmony.
The book underscores the importance of gratitude, respect, stewardship in our relationship with nature, encouraging readers to shift from a mindset of exploitation and extraction to one of partnership with the land. Ultimately, the book is a celebration of the living, breathing earth and the wisdom that can be found when we embrace a deeper, more respectful relationship with the world around.
Kimmerer’s writing connects with us on a deep level. When Big Green talks about the principle that “growing food changes lives” we are many times talking about gardening. As we expand the meaning of a garden to include all of the Earth, and that we as humans are the caretakers of this planet and our kin, this book provides a powerful perspective and insight into how we as an organization can learn from and honor the principles and practices of indigenous culture explored in “Braiding Sweetgrass” to shape the way we tend to our garden.
