Braiding Sweetgrass
“In some Native languages the term for plants translates to “those who take care of us.” ― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
The traditional wiingashk, or sweetgrass, braid tells the story of how mind, body, and spirit are connected and mutually dependent. To follow the way of the sweetgrass would mean that we give thanks to nature's abundance and use our gifts to nurture the world, thus nurturing ourselves.
Braiding Sweetgrass explores reciprocal relationships between humans and the land, with a focus on the role of plants and botany in both Native American and Western traditions. The book has been described as a gift of love to the Earth. Author, Robin Kimmerer is a botanist, a writer and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She teaches in the Department of Environment and Forest Biology at SUNY-ESF, where she is the director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment.
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.” ― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
Dan Broun
Kuno Earth Media Centre Manager
“In some Native languages the term for plants translates to “those who take care of us.” ― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
The traditional wiingashk, or sweetgrass, braid tells the story of how mind, body, and spirit are connected and mutually dependent. To follow the way of the sweetgrass would mean that we give thanks to nature's abundance and use our gifts to nurture the world, thus nurturing ourselves.
Braiding Sweetgrass explores reciprocal relationships between humans and the land, with a focus on the role of plants and botany in both Native American and Western traditions. The book has been described as a gift of love to the Earth. Author, Robin Kimmerer is a botanist, a writer and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She teaches in the Department of Environment and Forest Biology at SUNY-ESF, where she is the director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment.
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.” ― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
You might like...
Restoring urchin barrens in Sydney Harbour
Sea-urchins have over-adapted to urbanisation and their proliferation is causing urchin 'barrens', areas devoid of kelp and seaweed. A project is tackling this by removing urchins, enabling areas of kelp forest to be restored
Bruny Island nesting box project
The Bruny Island nesting box project provides nesting habitat for the critically endangered Forty-Spotted Pardalote and the Swift Parrot.
Sydney Harbour’s marine life makes a comeback
The marine life of the Sydney Harbour got to a low in the 1960s and 1970s, but we've seen an improvement in the last 50 years, with a growing abundance of marine life in the harbour.
How to save life on Earth
Biologist and Pulitzer winner E.O. Wilson's proposes a bold plan to preserve the world’s biodiversity: set aside half of the entire planet for natural habitats.
Newsletter
Sign up to keep in touch with articles, updates, events or news from Kuno, your platform for nature