Braiding Sweetgrass

Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

By: Robin Wall Kimmerer

Narrated by: Robin Wall Kimmerer

As a botanist and professor of plant ecology, Robin Wall Kimmerer has spent a career learning how to ask questions of nature using the tools of science. As a Potawatomi woman, she learned from elders, family, and history that the Potawatomi, as well as a majority of other cultures indigenous to this land, consider plants and animals to be our oldest teachers.

In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer brings these two lenses of knowing together to reveal what it means to see humans as "the younger brothers of creation". As she explores these themes, she circles toward a central argument: The awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgement and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the world. Once we begin to listen for the languages of other beings, we can begin to understand the innumerable life-giving gifts the world provides us and learn to offer our thanks, our care, and our own gifts in return.

©2013 Robin Wall Kimmerer (P)2016 Tantor

Stunning and Important

This is a powerful telling journey into an old time tested way of being. I was gently taken by the hand in to a much deeper understanding of how earth and nature lives and works. It's fascinating and engaging and inspiring. I have better eyes to see and understand now. I highly recommend this pivotal book. Robin Kimmerer is truly a gift to us all and our planet.

I’m in awe. One of the most important books of our time

This authors’ message and the eloquence with which it is delivered is mesmerising. The narration is exquisitely delicious.

A guide on how we as global citizens and guardians of our world could live if gratitude and mutual respect ruled out every action. I wish for every school age child to know the contents of this book so that we could start to shape a very different future fit our beautiful planet and ‘every being’ residing upon it.

My words are so inadequate. This book is a must read, may its message will be carried with you and cherished into existence. 🙌✨❤️

Things I know, but need to be reminded

If I had to sum up this book to me, in one phrase, I would call it The Way. Beautiful book that illuminates my path in these times, past, present, and future.

Amazing congruity with healing one knows is needed

From my perspective, this book should be required reading for our times. It shines a light on nearly forgotten wise ways of knowing how to live on the Earth with integrity and natural reciprocity. It teaches lessons that show our kinship with all of life. It models a path of heart balanced with mind. It also raises the balance between what is known by indigenous peoples and what is studied by science. To be done well, science myst be practiced with humility and heart. So much love is in the this book! It is a masterwork!

Forever changed

After listening to Braiding Sweetgrass, my relationship with my environment in the Finger Lakes is forever changed. Her rich language touches mind, body and spirit, and every hour I listened, I felt more inspired to intentionally bring a mind of reciprocal benevolence to my engagement with our beautiful land. I picked apples at our local orchard differently this year because of her writing on the honorable harvest. I felt a more visceral gratitude for our local farmers hard work and bountiful crops that make their way to our dinner plates. Every day brings an opportunity to see our right relationship with earth differently, and to shift the culture to one not merely of ‘sustainable’ taking, but reciprocal giving and receiving of life. Thank you for this treasure!