Braiding Sweetgrass

Synopsis

Part of the Blackwell's Five Foot Bookshelf.
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'A hymn of love to the world ... 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, author of Eat, Pray, Love

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 ways of knowledge together.

Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist, a mother, and a woman, Kimmerer shows how other living beings - asters and goldenrod, strawberries and squash, salamanders, algae, and sweetgrass - offer us gifts and lessons, even if we've forgotten how to hear their voices. In a rich braid of reflections that range from the creation of Turtle Island to the forces that threaten its flourishing today, she circles toward a central argument: that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings will we be capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learn to give our own gifts in return.

Summary

Chapter 1: Calendars

Summary:
Kimmerer explores the different ways we measure time, including celestial cycles, plant life, and animal behavior. She argues that by attuning ourselves to these natural rhythms, we can gain a deeper understanding of our place in the world.

Example:
Kimmerer describes how she uses the blooming of certain wildflowers to mark the beginning of harvesting season for her family's wild rice crop.

Chapter 2: The Teachings of Trees

Summary:
Kimmerer examines the unique characteristics and wisdom of different tree species, drawing parallels to human behavior. She emphasizes the importance of respecting trees and learning from their lessons.

Example:
Kimmerer compares the resilience and adaptability of the red maple to the challenges faced by single mothers.

Chapter 3: Pleading with the Wind

Summary:
Kimmerer explores the relationship between people and wind, both as a source of power and destruction. She argues that we must learn to listen to the wind's messages and respond with respect.

Example:
Kimmerer recounts her experience watching a tornado touch down and the aftermath of its devastation.

Chapter 4: The Grace of Birch

Summary:
Kimmerer examines the spiritual and medicinal properties of birch trees, drawing connections to her own journey as a mother and healer. She reflects on the importance of forgiveness and letting go.

Example:
Kimmerer shares her story of losing a child during childbirth and how the grace and healing qualities of birch trees helped her through the grieving process.

Chapter 5: The Marrow of the Earth

Summary:
Kimmerer delves into the Indigenous perspective on soil, water, and the importance of sustainability. She argues that we must protect and respect the natural resources that sustain us.

Example:
Kimmerer describes how her people, the Potawatomi, have a deep connection to the land and have developed traditional practices for caring for the environment.

Chapter 6: When the Salmon Come Home

Summary:
Kimmerer examines the importance of salmon to the Pacific Northwest ecosystem and its cultural significance to her people. She explores the threats facing salmon populations and calls for collective action to protect them.

Example:
Kimmerer describes her experience with a mass die-off of salmon in the Elwha River due to human intervention.

Chapter 7: The Language of Bone

Summary:
Kimmerer explores the many ways bones tell stories about life, death, and the interconnectedness of all things. She argues that by listening to the language of bone, we can gain a deeper understanding of our history and our place in the world.

Example:
Kimmerer examines the skeletal remains of an ancient bison and uses them to piece together the story of its life and the changes that have occurred in the landscape over time.