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...
Inala Jurassic Garden's Noah's Ark project
The Inala Jurassic Garden is a small, privately-owned botanic garden located at Inala, on Bruny Island. It is a repository for more than 700 species of plants with Gondwanan connection.
Sydney inspiring global leadership on marine restoration
The Sydney Institute of Marine Science is leading groundbreaking marine restoration research, bringing marine life back into Sydney harbour, and potential to catalyse positive change globally.
Improving reproductive success of forty spotted pardalotes
This study found that giving forty-spotted pardalotes support to 'self-fumigate' their nests increased their reproductive success more than tenfold
Little penguin paradise
Bruny Island is a special habitat for so many birds, including Tasmania's 12 endemic species and the amazing little penguin, says Dr Eric Woehler. They nest in a range of habitats, including under garden sheds and overturned boats - and so far, they've adapted to climate change.
Newsletter
Sign up to keep in touch with articles, updates, events or news from Kuno, your platform for nature