A review by jnzllwgr
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

5.0

Finished this off just as the new year dawned. A compendium of linked essays. Let me first note that the book is hardback with a book mark stitched into the binding. This is a volume for your personal library, an inspirational and informative reference for years to come. And the writing is aligned with the values of the publisher here. Kimmerer’s voice is slow, steady, observant and, most importantly, compassionate. The concept of reciprocity permeates the entire series of essays. Also, the concept of non-human people - something I was first introduced via Timothy Morton’s ‘Humankind’. I’d like my musings here to emphasize this aspect: this idea of autonomy and agency being granted to all living things that make up our world. This idea that humans have the untapped capacity for humility in acknowledging that our senses’ acquisition of the world has its limitations. This idea that just because we could not apprehend with sight, sound, touch, etc, does not mean the ‘other’ is lesser, inferior, unintelligent and - most importantly - deserving of respect for their own will to exist. This idea that cognition takes more than human form. This extension of compassion - faith, even - grounds us in the world around us, offers us refuge and reframes our role in a reciprocal dance with the universe. In other words, we begin to think twice about what we take for ourselves and measure the impact of our actions when we must. This is not fundamental to the monotheistic approach that places salvation ‘off world’ in another plane of existence. It’s what has allowed capital to drive the irreparable extraction from the earth, blinded us to the generous giving that our non-human neighbors have offered us. In turn, it also might offer entrance to how we can treat our fellow humans as well. This is not a technical manual to solve the challenges we face in the 21c. but it does help us find our hearts to do so.