Braiding Sweetgrass
Robin Wall Kimmerer, Dr.
23 min
8 Key Points
4.8 RateWhat's inside?
Explore the harmonious connection between nature and humanity through the lens of indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge, and learn valuable lessons from the world of plants.
You'll learn
1. Why we should respect native wisdom2. Mixing old-school knowledge with science3. Why plants are super important4. Giving back to nature: what's in it for us?5. Living green: why it matters6. Getting in touch with nature's healing vibes.Key points
01Mother Earth is more than just a phrase, it's a way of life
Mother Earth is more than just a phrase we use. It's a call to rethink how we see our natural world. It's not just a storehouse of resources for us to use and discard. It's a living, breathing entity that deserves our respect and care. Scientists have been studying nature for hundreds of years, and it still surprises us with its complexity and interconnectedness. For example, did you know that the smell of humus, the organic part of soil, triggers the release of oxytocin in humans? Oxytocin is the hormone that creates a bond between a mother and her child. This suggests that we humans have a deep, biological connection with the earth. But in many Western societies, we often forget this connection. We see ourselves as superior to other forms of life, and we see nature as something to be used and exploited. This attitude has led to many environmental problems, like global warming, deforestation, overfishing, and the extinction of many species.On the other hand, Indigenous cultures, like the Native Americans, see humans as the youngest members of the earth's family. They believe that we have a lot to learn from older beings, like plants and animals. For instance, plants can sustain themselves and contribute to the health of the planet. When a tree is attacked by insects, it sends out a warning to other trees, which then produce chemicals to defend themselves. And forests have their own communication networks through fungal strands in the soil, which distribute nutrients equally among all trees, just like Robin Hood shared wealth. This understanding of nature as a wise, interconnected system was once common knowledge. But as societies became more focused on money, this wisdom was largely forgotten. But it's not completely lost. Indigenous cultures still uphold these principles, and our biological responses to nature, like the smell of humus, suggest that this wisdom is still within us. So, let's embark on a journey to rediscover this wisdom and to rethink our relationship with Mother Earth. By doing so, we can help create a more sustainable future for all life on this planet.
02Science is important, but it's not the only way to learn
Robin Wall Kimmerer, a botanist and a member of the Potawatomi Nation, shares a fascinating perspective in her writings. She believes that while science is a crucial way to understand the world, it's not the only one. This belief is a reflection of her own journey, where she had to balance her indigenous roots with her scientific education. Kimmerer's story starts in the world of academia, where facts and data are king. But this approach often overlooked the wisdom of her Potawatomi elders, dismissing it as simple folklore without hard evidence. This disregard for indigenous knowledge was put to the test when Kimmerer faced a real-world problem: the dwindling numbers of sweetgrass, a plant sacred to her people. The scientific community believed that overharvesting was causing the decline of sweetgrass. Their solution was to leave the sweetgrass alone to recover. But this clashed with the Potawatomi belief that sweetgrass thrives when it's used and cared for by people. To test this belief, Kimmerer and her student, Laurie, conducted a multi-year study. The results were surprising. The harvested sweetgrass was thriving, while the untouched sweetgrass was deteriorating. This discovery highlighted the importance of the Potawatomi's indigenous knowledge. This example serves as a strong reminder that science, while important, doesn't have all the answers. It also shows the risks of ignoring other sources of knowledge. Take modern farming practices, for example. Farmers often plant single crops like corn, using pesticides to control pests and fertilizers to boost growth. This approach, while backed by science, overlooks a key issue: single-crop farms are more vulnerable to pest outbreaks. In contrast, the Potawatomi have a story about the Three Sisters - corn, beans, and squash. This isn't just a tale, but a guide to sustainable farming. The Three Sisters are planted together because they help each other. The squash covers the ground, reducing weeds. The corn grows tall, providing a structure for the beans to climb. The beans, in turn, enrich the soil with nitrogen, which benefits the corn and squash. This method of farming, based on indigenous knowledge, creates a balanced ecosystem that doesn't need pesticides or fertilizers. Kimmerer uses this metaphor to show how scientific and indigenous knowledge can work together. Just like the Three Sisters, these two sources of knowledge can support and enrich each other, leading to more complete and sustainable solutions. This is a call to action for us to value and integrate diverse sources of knowledge, including indigenous wisdom, in our quest for understanding and problem-solving.
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03All creatures matter, not just humans
04Let's swap buying stuff for giving back
05Saying thanks to nature can help save it
06Fixing the Earth means changing our attitudes too
07We risk losing the Potawatomi's unique view on nature
08Conclusion
About Robin Wall Kimmerer, Dr.
Robin Wall Kimmerer is a botanist, author, and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is a Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and the founder of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment.
