Review by AMSSND Associate Peggy Ann Russell
Having recently read and discussed the book by Thomas King, “The Inconvenient Indian,” some of us learned how little we really know about the history of the Indigenous People. It was a painful awakening on our part.
Another very informative book, “Braiding Sweetgrass,” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, doesn't ignore “the federal government's Indian removal policies,” but weaves in “Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants,” to lighten our pain-filled education.
The chapter entitled “The Gift of Strawberries” tells how the berries were gathered by the children for a strawberry shortcake for the celebration of Father's Day. They were seen as a gift to their father that could never be bought. The strawberries were not seen by the children as a gift from the fields themselves. The children saw little red hearts. “Heart berries, indeed.”
“The Three Sisters” chapter explains how the seeds of corn, bean and squash are planted together in a one square foot of soil. The corn grows straight and stiff, the bean grows around the stalk and the squash grows slowly on the ground with the large leaves covering the soil, “keeping moisture in, and other plants out.”
The three of them growing together so closely is a living example of unity – all working together, all so different!
In a description of woven baskets, we learn that “it's journey from wholeness as a living plant to fragmented strands, and back to wholeness again, as a basket.” This is a wonderful example of bringing unity in brokenness.
Interspersed throughout the book are moments of pain and calls for healing justice.
Near the end of this enlightening masterpiece is a delightful creation story from oral tradition. Then one reads, “They were wise enough to be grateful,” describing the third attempt to fashion humans.
Unity, justice, care of the environment and gratitude – sounds like the School Sisters of Notre Dame!
Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat, Pray, Love,” states that the author “takes us on a journey that is every bit as mystical as it is scientific, as sacred as it is historical, as clever as it is wise.”
Agreed!
