Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a book independent bookstores love, and it feels perfect for this month’s review.
The book’s subtitle “Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants” only hints at what the book truly conveys. The author is an Indigenous scientist who holds multiple degrees in Botany. This gives her a lens to look at the natural world both with indigenous science and Western science. The book is both a memoir and an exploration of how these two paths of understanding are often viewed as separate or, at best, parallel but instead should be seen as working together to help us grow in our understanding and caretaking of the earth and its resources.
I was quite struck by the difference in approaches when reading “The Honorable Harvest” chapter. Western practices seek to harvest as much as possible and then next year put down new seeds. The indigenous way involves leaving up to half of the harvest behind. Not because those who grew it don’t need it, but because animals also need some to maintain balance, and some will naturally fall to become next year’s seedlings. It's such a simple but thought-provoking way to look at the process.
For those who have already read Braiding Sweetgrass, we are pleased to say that the author’s next book, The Serviceberry is coming out November 19, and we can’t wait to read it!