Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist, and as 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 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 ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world.
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
I really loved this book, I think that anyone who want to read about Indigenous wisdom and who wants a kind introduction will enjoy it. This book has a warm, fuzzy feeling to it when reading. It has really great insights into the similarities and differences offered by western science and indigenous teachings. If you read, enjoy!
I wanted to love it. Great concepts. Important book, a bit boring. YA edition looks a little more manageable. I read it quickly and it feels like it should be slowly unraveled.
Absolutely beautiful! A wonderful illumination of indigenous tribes in the US, their culture, practices, and rituals. It is a true gift. Something everyone should read.
I enjoyed the various anecdotes she wrote, especially ones involving the linguistic differences of the Native Americans. I was really engaged during the first half of the book, but I started losing interest after the 70% mark or so because it felt really repetitive. I do think this book could have been shorter and I definitely think she has poetic prowess. It is overall beautifully written, albeit dense.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.