Setting

Braiding Sweetgrass takes place primarily in contemporary North America, spanning various locations across the continent. The book's setting is not confined to a specific time period, as Robin Wall Kimmerer weaves together personal experiences, scientific observations, and Indigenous wisdom that transcend temporal boundaries.

The geographical scope of the book is expansive, encompassing diverse ecosystems from forests and wetlands to prairies and urban environments. Kimmerer draws on her experiences in places like upstate New York, where she teaches, and the Midwest, where her Potawatomi ancestors lived. She also references other regions of North America, highlighting the interconnectedness of ecosystems and cultures across the land.

Characters

• Robin Wall Kimmerer: The author, a botanist, professor of plant ecology, and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Weaving together scientific knowledge, Indigenous wisdom, and personal experiences, she guides readers through her journey of understanding the natural world through multiple lenses.

• Skywoman: A mythological figure from Potawatomi creation stories. Skywoman plays a central role in the book's opening chapter, representing the Indigenous perspective on humanity's relationship with the Earth. Her story sets the tone for the themes explored throughout the book.

• Nanabozho: A trickster figure from Anishinaabe mythology mentioned in various chapters. Nanabozho appears in stories that illustrate important ecological lessons and Indigenous wisdom.

• Kimmerer's daughters: Mentioned in personal anecdotes, they illustrate how knowledge and respect for nature are passed down through generations.

• Kimmerer's students: Appearing in various chapters as Kimmerer describes her experiences teaching botany and ecology, the unnamed students demonstrate the process of learning about and connecting with nature.

Quick facts

• Published in 2013, Braiding Sweetgrass combines Indigenous wisdom with scientific knowledge.

• The book's title refers to the practice of braiding sweetgrass, a sacred plant in many Native American traditions.

• Robin Wall Kimmerer, the author, is both a botanist and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

• Braiding Sweetgrass is structured into five sections, mirroring the process of working with sweetgrass—planting, tending, picking, braiding, and burning.

• Braiding Sweetgrass won the 2014 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award.

• Braiding Sweetgrass first appeared on The New York Times bestsellers list in February 2020, seven years after its initial publication.

• The audiobook version is narrated by the author herself, Robin Wall Kimmerer.

• Braiding Sweetgrass explores the concept of plants and animals as humanity's “oldest teachers."

• Braiding Sweetgrass  was named one of the Best Essay Collections of the Decade by Literary Hub.

• In 2024, Braiding Sweetgrass was reported as one of the most borrowed titles in American public libraries.

About the Author

Robin Wall Kimmerer (1953-) is a renowned botanist, author, and educator who has made significant contributions to the fields of plant ecology and traditional ecological knowledge. An enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she  combines her Indigenous heritage with her scientific expertise to offer unique perspectives on environmental stewardship and the relationship between humans and nature. Her books include Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses (2003), which won the John Burroughs Medal Award, and Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants (2013), which became a New York Times bestseller.      

As a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology, Kimmerer has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between Western scientific knowledge and Indigenous wisdom. She founded and directs the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), where she works to increase access for Indigenous students in environmental science and incorporate Native philosophy into sustainability efforts.

In recognition of her contributions to science, education, and literature, Kimmerer has received numerous accolades, including a MacArthur Fellowship in 2022. Her work continues to inspire a new generation of environmental thinkers and advocates, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous perspectives in addressing contemporary ecological challenges.