Welcome! This quote from the chapter Witness to the Rain, comes from a meditation during a walk in the rain through the forest. Last Updated on March 23, 2021, by eNotes Editorial. I close my eyes and listen to all the voices in the rain. Your email address will not be published. Do offering ceremonies or rituals exist in your life? She speaks about each drops path as completely different, interacting with a multitude of organic and inorganic matter along the way, sometimes becoming bigger or smaller, sometimes picking up detritus along the way or losing some of its fullness. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Did you note shapes as metaphor throughout the book? Vlog where I reflected daily on one or two chapters: Pros: This non-fiction discusses serious issues regarding the ecology that need to be addressed. . She is the author of numerous scientific articles, and the book Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses. As immigrants, are we capable of loving the land as if we were indigenous to it? Her rich use of metaphor and storytelling make this a nonfiction book that leaves an impression as well as a desire to reflect upon new perspectives. [Illustration offered as an anonymous gift :-)]. "Braiding Sweetgrass" Chapter 25: Witness to the Rainwritten by Robin Wall KimmererRead by Sen Naomi Kirst-SchultzOriginal text can be bought at:https://birc. San Antonio, TX: Trinity University Press: 187-195. Would you consider re-reading Braiding Sweetgrass? Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. "Witness to the Rain" is the final chapter of the "Braiding Sweetgrass" section of RWK's beautiful book. However alluring the thought of warmth, there is no substitute for standing in the rain to waken every sensesenses that are muted within four walls, where my attention would be on me, instead of all that is more than me. By the 1850s, Western pioneers saw fit to drain the wetlands that supported the salmon population in order to create more pasture for their cattle. Witness to the Rain In this chapter, Kimmerer considers the nature of raindrops and the flaws surrounding our human conception of time. Kimmerer, Robin Wall Summary "An inspired weaving of indigenous knowledge, plant science, and personal narrative from a distinguished professor of science and a Native American whose previous book, Gathering Moss, was awarded the John Burroughs Medal for outstanding nature writing. Parts of it are charming and insightful. What creates a strong relationship between people and Earth? Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerers "Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants,". The gods send disasters to strike them, and they also give the rest of creation their own voices to speak out against their mistreatment. Through this anecdote, Kimmerer reminds us that it is nature itself who is the true teacher. She served as Gallery Director and Curator for the All My Relations Gallery in Minneapolis from 2011-2015. Hotchkiss All-School Read 2021 1 NOTA BENE: Kimmerer weaves together three major approaches to nature writing in this text: . This question was asked of a popular fiction writer who took not a moment's thought before saying, my own of course. . One of the most beautiful books I've ever read. Did this chapter change your view on the inner workings of forests? Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. Dr. Kimmerer weaves together one of the most rich resources to date in Braiding Sweetgrass, and leaves us with a sense of hope rather than paralyzing fear. Kimmerer often muses on how we can live in reciprocity with the land, and gratitude, as our uniquely human gift, is always an important part of this. This book contains one exceptional essay that I would highly recommend to everyone, "The Sacred and the Superfund." "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." This makes the story both history, ongoing process, and prophecy of the future. I wish Robin Wall Kimmerer had written three short books instead of one long book. They all lacked gratitude, which is indeed our unique gift as human beings, but increasingly Kimmerer says that she has come to think of language as our gift and responsibility as well. 4 Mar. Braiding Sweetgrass is a nonfiction work of art by Dr. Robin Kimmerer. Just read it. Yes, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Dr. Robin Kimmerer arrived on the New York Times Paperback Best Sellers list on January 31, 2020, six years after its publication. The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Kimmerer, Robin Wall. It asks whether human beings are capable of being mothers too, and whether this feminine generosity can be reciprocated in a way which is meaningful to the planet. to explore their many inspiring collections, including the artist we are highlighting in complement to the Buffs One Read Braiding Sweetgrass. I don't know what else to say. As for the rest of it, although I love the author's core message--that we need to find a relationship to the land based on reciprocity and gratitude, rather than exploitation--I have to admit, I found the book a bit of a struggle to get through. Tending Sweetgrass includes the chapters Maple Sugar Moon, Witch Hazel, A Mothers Work, The Consolation of Water Lilies, and Allegiance to Gratitude. This section more closely explores the bounty of the earth and what it gives to human beings. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Witness to the rain Download PDF Year: 2011 Publications Type: Book Section Publication Number: 4674 Citation: Kimmerer, Robin W. 2011. But they're gifts, too. Its based on common sense, on things we may have known at one time about living in concert with our surroundings, but that modern life and its irresistible conveniences have clouded. Pull up a seat, friends. I close my eyes and listen to the voices of the rain. Listening to rain, time disappears. Can you identify any ceremonies in which you participated, that were about the land, rather than family and culture? Despairing towards the end of the trip that she had focused too much on scientific graphing of vegetation and too little on the spiritual importance of land, Kimmerer recalls being humbled as the students began to sing Amazing Grace. A fairly gentle, love-based look at ecology and the climate crisis with lots of educational value. She is the author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants.She has BS in Botany from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry as well as a MS and PhD from the University of Wisconsin. Listening, standing witness, creates an openness to the world in which the boundaries between us can dissolve in a raindrop. What were your thoughts on the structure of the book and the metaphor of sweetgrass life cycle? The author reflects on how modern botany can be explained through these cultures. Kimmerer explores the inextricable link between old-growth forests and the old-growth cultures that grew alongside them and highlights how one cannot be restored without the other. online is the same, and will be the first date in the citation. Through this symbiotic relationship, the lichen is able to survive in harsh conditions. This passage also introduces the idea of. How often do we consider the language, or perceptions, of those with whom we are trying to communicate? From Braiding Sweetgras s by author, ethnobotanist, and biologist Robin Wall Kimmerer, of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation: "Our old farm is within the ancestral homelands of the Onondaga Nation, and their reserve lies a few ridges to the west of my hilltop. What are your thoughts on the assertion of mutual taming between plants and humans? From his origins as a real estate developer to his incarnation as Windigo-in-Chief, he has regarded "public lands"our forests, grasslands, rivers, national parks, wildlife reservesall as a warehouse of potential commodities to be sold to the highest bidder. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling collection of essays Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. Braiding Sweetgrass explores the theme of cooperation, considering ways in which different entities can thrive by working in harmony and thereby forming a sense of mutual belonging. I don't know how to talk about this book. Dr. Kimmerer invites us to view our surroundings through a new lens; perhaps a lens we should have been using all along. This is an important and a beautiful book. What can benefit from the merging of worlds, like the intersection of Western science and Indigenous teachings? Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Sshhhhh from rain, pitpitpit from hemlock, bloink from maple and lastly popp of falling alder water. Kimmerer imagines a kind of science in which people saw plants as teachers rather than as objects to be experimented on. Throughout his decades-long journey to restore the land to its former glory, Dolp came to realize the parallel importance of restoring his personal relationship to land. publication online or last modification online. October 6, 2021 / janfalls. Witness to the Rain Robin Wall Kimmerer | Last.fm Search Live Music Charts Log In Sign Up Robin Wall Kimmerer Witness to the Rain Love this track More actions Listeners 9 Scrobbles 11 Join others and track this song Scrobble, find and rediscover music with a Last.fm account Sign Up to Last.fm Lyrics Add lyrics on Musixmatch publication in traditional print. Log in here. It also means that her books organizational principles are not ones were accustomed to, so instead of trying to discern them in an attempt to outline the book, I will tell you about the two chapters that left the deepest impression. Her first book, published in 2003, was the natural and cultural history book Gathering . How can we have a relationship if we lack thorough understanding, an ability to listen, and ideas to give back to the natural world? She is the author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of Plants and Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses.She lives in Syracuse, New York, where she is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental . Do you relate more to people of corn or wood? Sweetgrass, as the hair of Mother Earth, is traditionally braided to show loving care for her well-being. Looking at mosses close up is, she insists, a comforting, mindful thing: "They're the most overlooked plants on the planet. Its messagekeepsreaching new people, having been translated so far into nearly 20 languages. Its not about wisdom. In this chapter, Kimmerer discusses Franz Dolps attempts to regenerate an old-growth forest. Was there a passage that struck you and stayed with you after you finished reading? Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs A deep invisible river, known to roots and rocks, the water and the land intimate beyond our knowing. One essay especially, "Allegiance to Gratitude," prompted me to rethink our Christian practices of thanks. What did you think of the juxtaposition between light and dark? This chapter focuses on a species of lichen called Umbilicaria, which is technically not one organism but two: a symbiotic marriage between algae and fungi. Why or why not? Because the relationship between self and the world is reciprocal, it is not a question of first getting enlightened or saved and then acting. What did you think of the perspective regarding the ceremony of life events; in which those who have been provided with the reason for the celebration give gifts to those in attendance. Did you consider this a melancholy chapter? 2) Look back over the introductory pages for each section"Planting Sweetgrass", "Tending Sweetgrass", Picking Sweetgrass", "Braiding Sweetgrass"for each of these sections Kimmerer includes a short preface statement. To Be In ReceptiveSilence (InnerCharkha), RestorativeJustice & NonviolentCommunication, Superando la Monocultura Interna y Externa / Overcoming Inner & OuterMonoculture, En la Oscuridad con Asombro/ In Darkness with Wonder. It offered them a rich earthly existence and their culture mirrored this generosity by giving their goods away in the potlatch ceremony, imitating nature in their way of life. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer brings these two . You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. At Kanatsiohareke, he and others have carved out a place where Indigenous people can gather to relearn and celebrate Haudenosaunee culture. Book Synopsis. How has your view of plants changed from reading this chapter? Alex Murdaugh's sentence came down Friday, after a jury took less than three hours Thursday to convict him in his family's murders. Not what I expected, but all the better for it. In this chapter, Kimmerer recounts the journey of Nanabozho as he walks across the earth for the first time. The various themes didn't braid together as well as Sweetgrass itself does. Kimmerer believes that the connections in the natural world are there for us to listen to if were ready to hear them. When people are in the presence of nature, often no other lesson is needed to move them to awe. It gives us knowing, but not caring. In that environment, says Kimmerer, there was no such thing as alone. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. This study guide contains the following sections: This detailed literature summary also contains Topics for Discussion on She asks this question as she tells the stories of Native American displacement, which forever changed the lives of her . Even a wounded world is feeding us. In the Indigenous worldview, however, humans are seen as the younger brothers of Creation who must learn from those who were here before us: the plants and animals, who have their own kinds of intelligence and knowledge. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Already a member? Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Looking back through the book, pick one paragraph or sentence from each of these sections that for you, capture the essence of the statement that Kimmerer includes in the intro of each section. I share delicious vegan recipes (with a few flexitarian recipes from my pre-vegan days). OK, this book was a journey and not a precisely pleasant one. The reflecting surface of the pool is textured with their signatures, each one different in pace and resonance. Recall a meaningful gift that youve received at any point in your life. We've designed some prompts to help students, faculty, and all of the CU community to engage with the 2021 Buffs OneRead. And we think of it as simply time, as if it were one thing, as if we understood it. One such attempt at reclaiming Indigenous culture is being made by Sakokwenionkwas, or Tom Porter, a member of the Bear Clan. 226 likes. How has this book changed your view of the natural world and relationships? As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. They feel like kindred spirits. "I close my eyes and listen to the voices of the rain. So let's do two things, please, in prep for Wednesday night conversation: 1) Bring some homage to rainit can bea memory of your most memorable experience ever walking in the rain, listening to rainfall, staying inside by a fire while it rained, etc.or a poem or piece of prose that captures something you feel about rainor a haiku you write tomorrow morning over your coffeeor best of all, a potent rain dance! Braiding Sweetgrass Summary & Study Guide includes comprehensive information and analysis to What have you overlooked or taken for granted? Kimmerer describes the entire lifecycle of this intriguing creature to emphasize how tragic it is when their lives are ended so abruptly and randomly by passing cars. I think that moss knows rain better than we do, and so do maples. This idea has been mentioned several times before, but here Kimmerer directly challenges her fellow scientists to consider it as something other than a story: to actually allow it to inform their worldviews and work, and to rethink how limited human-only science really is. The reflecting surface of the pool is textured with their signatures, each one different in pace and resonance. This list is simply a starting point, an acknowledgement and gesture of gratitude for the many women in my life that have helped Create, Nurture, Protect, and Lead in ways that have taught me what it means to be a good relative. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. What literary devices are used in Braiding Sweetgrass? For more discussion prompts and facilitation tips,or to join the conversation, please join the Buffs OneRead community course: Braiding Sweetgrass. In "Witness to the Rain," Kimmerer noted that everything exists only in relationship to something else, and here she describes corn as a living relationship between light, water, the land, and people. -Graham S. Immigrant culture should appreciate this wisdom, but not appropriate it, Kimmerer says. I want to feel what the cedars feel and know what they know. I think it has affected me more than anything else I've ever read. I refrain from including specific quotes in case a reader does take a sneak peak before finishing the book, but I do feel your best journey is one taken page-by-page. Does the act of assigning scientific labels halt exploration? Consider the degree of attention you give to the natural world. Online Linkage: http://www.wayofnaturalhistory.com/ Related Links Both seek to combine their scientific, technical training with the feeling of connectedness and wholeness they get from being immersed by nature to bring about a more balanced way of living with the land. Copyright 2022 Cook'd Pro on the Cook'd Pro Theme, Banana Tahini Cookies (Vegan, Gluten Free), Blackberry Strawberry Banana Smoothie (Vegan, Gluten Free). 2023 . She compares this healthy relationship to the scientific relationship she experienced as a young scholar, wherein she struggled to reconcile spirituality, biology, and aesthetics into one coherent way of thinking. The property she purchases comes with a half acre pond that once was the favorite swimming hole for the community's boys, but which now is choked with plant growth. Through storytelling and metaphor, Braiding Sweetgrass is a nonfiction work that reads as a love letter to the natural world. The other chapter that captured me is titled Witness to the Rain. Rather than being historical, it is descriptive and meditative. "Robin Wall Kimmerer is writer of rare grace. Kimmerer combines the indigenous wisdom shes learned over the years with her scientific training to find a balance between systems-based thinking and more thorny points of ethics that need to be considered if we want to meet the needs of every individual in a community. Her use of vibrant metaphor captures emotion in such a way that each chapter leaves us feeling ready to roll up our sleeves and reintroduce ourselves to the backyard, apartment garden, or whatever bit of greenspace you have in your area. Do you have any acquaintances similar to Hazel? Link to other LTER Network Site Profiles. date the date you are citing the material. Learn how your comment data is processed. When a young Amish boy is sole witness to a murder while visiting Philadelphia with his mother, police detective John Book tries to protect the boy until an attempt on Book's life forces him into hiding in Amish country. In this chapter, Kimmerer describes another field trip to the Cranberry Lake Biological Station, where she teaches an ethnobotany class that entails five weeks of living off the land. These writing or creative expression promptsmight be used for formal assignments or informal exercises. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us. I felt euphoric inhaling the intense fragrance, and truly understood why the author would name a book after this plant. It's difficult to rate this book, because it so frequently veered from two to five stars for me. Kimmerer closes by describing the Indigenous idea that each part of creation has its own unique gift, like a bird with its song. Author: Kimmerer, Robin Wall Additional Titles: . Many of her arguments rely on this concept of honour, which is what she thinks weve abandoned in our publicpolicies. She is the co-founder and past president of the Traditional Ecological Knowledge section of the Ecological Society of America. Braiding Sweetgrass consists of the chapters In the Footsteps of Nanabozho: Becoming Indigenous to Place, The Sound of Silverbells, Sitting in a Circle, Burning Cascade Head, Putting Down Roots, Umbilicaria: The Belly Button of the World, Old-Growth Children, and Witness to the Rain. Here, Kimmerer delves into reconciling humanity with the environment, dwelling in particular upon the changes wrought between generations upon the way in which one considers the land one lives on. Did you recognize yourself or your experiences in it? It is informative about Native American history, beliefs, and culture. (LogOut/ If so, how? This story is usually read as a history, but Kimmerer reminds the reader that in many Indigenous cultures time is not linear but rather circular. -by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Nov 24 2017) However alluring the thought of warmth, there is no substitute for standing in the rain to waken every sensesenses that are muted within four walls, where my attention would be on me, instead of all that is more than me. How does Kimmerer use myths to illustrate her ideas in Braiding Sweetgrass? Braiding Sweetgrass. Clearly I am in the minority here, as this book has some crazy high ratings overall. This forest is textured with different kinds of time, as the surface of the pool is dimpled with different kinds of rain. I think that moss knows rain better than we do, and so do maples. Abstract. Five stars for the beauty of some of Robin Wall Kimmerer's writing in many essays/chapters. Kimmerer lives in Syracuse, New York, where she is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology and the founder and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment. . As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. These questions may be posed to an entire class, to small groups, to online communities, or as personal reflective prompts.