Summary
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer offers a fresh perspective on humanity's relationship with the environment. A botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Kimmerer weaves together scientific knowledge, Indigenous wisdom, and personal lessons she’s learned from plants in a collection of thought-provoking essays. Published in 2013, this New York Times bestseller won the 2014 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award and was named a Best Essay Collection of the Decade by Literary Hub. The book continues to be widely read and frequently cited for its insights into sustainability and ecological consciousness.
Plot
Braiding Sweetgrass weaves together Indigenous wisdom, scientific observations, and personal lessons in a collection of essays devoted to the importance of plants to humans and the planet. The book begins with the Skywoman creation story, introducing the significance of sweetgrass in Native American traditions as the first plant to grow on Earth. Essays move on to explore the Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash), the ecology of pecans, and other topics related to sustainability and the environment.
As the book progresses, Robin Wall Kimmerer shares anecdotes about her experiences as a botanist, professor, and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She reflects on her journey to reconnect with her Indigenous heritage and the lessons she's learned from plants. These stories are interwoven with discussions of environmental issues, sustainable practices, and the importance of reciprocity between humans and nature.
Essays are organized in five sections—“Planting Sweetgrass,” “Tending,” “Picking,” “Braiding,” and “Burning Sweetgrass”—to mirror the lifecycle of sweetgrass. Kimmerer's ultimate message is one of gratitude, reciprocity, and the need for humans to recognize their place within the natural world rather than separate from it.
Themes
The integration of Indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge
Reciprocal relationships between humans and nature
Gratitude and giving back to the Earth
Plants as teachers and sources of wisdom
Cultural reconnection and traditional ecological knowledge
Environmental stewardship and sustainability
Interconnectedness of all living beings
Setting
Braiding Sweetgrass takes place primarily in contemporary North America, spanning various locations across the continent. The book's setting is not confined to a specific time period, as Robin Wall Kimmerer weaves together personal experiences, scientific observations, and Indigenous wisdom that transcend temporal boundaries.
The geographical scope of the book is expansive, encompassing diverse ecosystems from forests and wetlands to prairies and urban environments. Kimmerer draws on her experiences in places like upstate New York, where she teaches, and the Midwest, where her Potawatomi ancestors lived. She also references other regions of North America, highlighting the interconnectedness of ecosystems and cultures across the land.
Characters
Robin Wall Kimmerer: The author, a botanist, professor of plant ecology, and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Weaving together scientific knowledge, Indigenous wisdom, and personal experiences, she guides readers through her journey of understanding the natural world through multiple lenses.
Skywoman: A mythological figure from Potawatomi creation stories. Skywoman plays a central role in the book's opening chapter, representing the Indigenous perspective on humanity's relationship with the Earth. Her story sets the tone for the themes explored throughout the book.
Nanabozho: A trickster figure from Anishinaabe mythology mentioned in various chapters. Nanabozho appears in stories that illustrate important ecological lessons and Indigenous wisdom.
Kimmerer's daughters: Mentioned in personal anecdotes, they illustrate how knowledge and respect for nature are passed down through generations.
Kimmerer's students: Appearing in various chapters as Kimmerer describes her experiences teaching botany and ecology, the unnamed students demonstrate the process of learning about and connecting with nature.
Quick facts
Published in 2013, Braiding Sweetgrass combines Indigenous wisdom with scientific knowledge.
The book's title refers to the practice of braiding sweetgrass, a sacred plant in many Native American traditions.
Robin Wall Kimmerer, the author, is both a botanist and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
Braiding Sweetgrass is structured into five sections, mirroring the process of working with sweetgrass—planting, tending, picking, braiding, and burning.
Braiding Sweetgrass won the 2014 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award.
Braiding Sweetgrass first appeared on The New York Times bestsellers list in February 2020, seven years after its initial publication.
The audiobook version is narrated by the author herself, Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Braiding Sweetgrass explores the concept of plants and animals as humanity's “oldest teachers."
Braiding Sweetgrass was named one of the Best Essay Collections of the Decade by Literary Hub.
In 2024, Braiding Sweetgrass was reported as one of the most borrowed titles in American public libraries.
About the Author
Robin Wall Kimmerer (1953-) is a renowned botanist, author, and educator who has made significant contributions to the fields of plant ecology and traditional ecological knowledge. An enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she combines her Indigenous heritage with her scientific expertise to offer unique perspectives on environmental stewardship and the relationship between humans and nature. Her books include Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses (2003), which won the John Burroughs Medal Award, and Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants (2013), which became a New York Times bestseller.
As a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology, Kimmerer has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between Western scientific knowledge and Indigenous wisdom. She founded and directs the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), where she works to increase access for Indigenous students in environmental science and incorporate Native philosophy into sustainability efforts.
In recognition of her contributions to science, education, and literature, Kimmerer has received numerous accolades, including a MacArthur Fellowship in 2022. Her work continues to inspire a new generation of environmental thinkers and advocates, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous perspectives in addressing contemporary ecological challenges.
