Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants

An Indigenous botanist offers powerful guidance and inspiration for a sustainable—and sustaining—future in this young readers’ adaptation of her 2015 adult bestseller.

Sweetgrass—its planting, tending, picking, braiding, and burning—forms the organizing structure for this work in which scientific discovery and traditional wisdom form a harmonious, interconnected whole. Sweetgrass is important to many Indigenous nations as well as a potent example of the limitations of traditional Western notions of people existing in opposition to the natural world, as evidenced by the fascinating results of the graduate research project Kimmerer (Potawatomi) oversaw. Rather than humans’ presence inherently threatening nonhuman living beings, show more the Indigenous worldview persuasively and vividly offered is one in which we live by the guiding principles of the Honorable Harvest, enumerated here as: never take the first, ask permission, listen for the answer, take only what you need, minimize harm, use everything you take, share, be grateful, and reciprocate the gift. Smith (Cree, Lakota) skillfully adapts the original, including text boxes with definitions, thoughtful prompts for reflection and discussion, and pithy quotes featured within exquisite images of a circle of braided sweetgrass by illustrator Neidhardt (Diné). Additional art beautifully enhances teachings and tales from many nations, personal reminiscences, fascinating natural history, and other enriching content. Readers will feel as if they are in conversation with a caring, respected expert guide who offers a hopeful, nourishing vision.

Both an urgent, essential call to action and an uplifting love letter. (author’s note, notes, bibliography, index, photo credits) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

-Kirkus Review show less

This is a review of only the first chapter of Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults. Thank you to NetGalley, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Monique Gray Smith and Zest Books for this advance reader's selection. I love the beauty and warmth of the author's writing when she is talking about plants. She obviously has a great love of the natural world as well as her Indigenous culture. She illustrates what our relationship with the natural world should be, which tragically it is not for most of us. This is a fascinating book for anyone and it is wonderful that the original is being adapted for young people. They will learn a great deal. My only trepidation regarding this book is the reference to the horrific way her grandfather was treated because he show more was an Indigenous person. I would not fault the author for writing a book about the many ways Indigenous people in our country were mistreated, which is a very mild word for what they have endured. However, I don't think there is a place for that narrative in this particular book. This is about "Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants" and I think it is best served by sticking to that specific theme. Beautiful chapter, though, and I am excited to see the entire book. show less

(audio nonfiction, 7 hrs 44 min, read by the author/adapter for the teen edition)

A cool guide to various plants, including scientific knowledge (botany, sustainability, ecosystems) amid various cultural Indigenous backgrounds (author belongs to the Potawatomi Nation; adapter belongs to the Cree Nation; the book includes stories from other First Nations and Native cultures that have been shared with Kimmerer). The audio version doesn't include the illustrations, but it's a comforting read grounded in science and social history, skillfully woven together with strands of the healing, spiritually significant (but endangered) sweetgrass.

Synergy: Indigenous Wisdom

INDIGENOUS WISDOM is the knowledge, skills, and philosophies preserved by the Native people of Earth. Handed down over thousands of generations, this wisdom places emphasis on the interconnectedness of all things in nature.

Read the recently published young adult adaptation of a popular nonfiction work for adults, then learn more at the website:

BRAIDING SWEETGRASS FOR YOUNG ADULTS by Robin Wall Kimmerer shares indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge and the teachings of plants. As an adaptation of the popular adult title, Monique Gray Smith effectively speaks to young people while maintaining Kimmerer’s message. The text uses meeting, planning, tending, picking, braiding and burning sweetgrass as a theme that show more weaves together anecdotes, traditional stories, engaging facts, and global understandings to introduce students to the idea that all living things are connected. Sidebars, reflective questions, and illustrations contribute to the appeal for young adult audiences. ARC courtesy of Zest Books, an imprint of Learner Publishing Group.

I MUST RETURN THE GIFT by Phoebe Lyn Pinkner connects excerpts from Braiding Sweetgrass with nature video clips to create a compelling short film.

To watch the short film, go to https://vimeo.com/639233670.

KITCHEN TABLE V2 is a video sharing the process of adapting Braiding Sweetgrass for young people.

To watch the video, go to https://youtu.be/Jpq8ruxpqew. show less

In March, I had the honor of hearing Monique Gray Smith speak at the AkLA library conference. I plan to use this text for a unit on indigenous Alaskan plants and Yup'ik medicine/cooking.

"Gratitude plants the seed for abundance."

Illustrations and photos of the plants. Framed inspiring quotes. Discussion questions and suggested activities. Includes notes and bibliography. Adapted by Nicole Gray Smith