Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants & The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer

In her book Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer delves into the power of language in shaping our understanding of nature. As both a botanist and an Indigenous woman, Kimmerer weaves together personal experiences, scientific knowledge, and Indigenous wisdom to explore how language can foster a deeper connection to the environment. A key theme in her work is animacy, and the question she poses is whether this concept can be integrated into Western culture as a sustainable idea. Can animism, with its recognition of all things as alive, continue to thrive in today's world?

Kimmerer introduces the idea of the "grammar of animacy" in her chapter, "Learning the Grammar of Animacy." She uses this concept to demonstrate how nature, far from being a collection of inanimate objects, is filled with beings that deserve respect and reciprocity. For example, Kimmerer describes the difference between the noun "bay" and the verb wiikwegamaa, which means "to be a bay" in the Potawatomi language. As a noun, a bay is simply a geographical feature, defined by human boundaries. But when viewed as a verb, a bay comes alive, with water flowing freely and interacting with its surroundings—cedar roots, baby mergansers, and other living beings. Through this linguistic shift, Kimmerer demonstrates how language can transform our perception of nature, turning what we see as lifeless objects into animate beings with purpose and agency.

By applying the concept of animacy to plants, animals, and natural elements, Kimmerer shows how these beings are not just passive objects but active participants in the world around them. Plants, for example, care for one another, form communities, and have intricate systems of growth and connection. They may not have human-like brains, but they are undeniably alive. Through the lens of animacy, Kimmerer invites us to see nature as a vibrant, interconnected web of life.

Through her writing, Kimmerer encourages us to shift the way we speak about and relate to nature. By using the grammar of animacy, she imbues natural beings with identity, dignity, and life. She treats plants and animals as if they were people, giving them the same respect and recognition that we would extend to fellow human beings. This change in language could potentially lead to a deeper, more respectful relationship with nature, fostering a mindset that values preservation and sustainability.

Take rain, for example. Many of us view it simply as a weather pattern that serves to water plants or provide us with drinking water. But rain is more than that—it is an animate being with worth and identity. Kimmerer addresses this in her chapter, "Witness to the Rain," where she describes the rain as an entity with both physical and animate attributes:

“Most other places I know, water is a discrete entity. It is hemmed in by well-defined boundaries: lakeshores, stream banks, the great rocky coastline. You can stand at its edge and say ‘this is water’ and ‘this is land’... But here in these misty forests those edges seem to blur, with rain so fine and constant as to be indistinguishable from air and cedars wrapped with cloud so dense that only their outlines emerge” (293-294).

Kimmerer’s description of rain suggests that it is free from boundaries, constantly shifting and moving in a dynamic, living way. By seeing rain as more than just water, we begin to recognize its vitality and worth. She explains that she does not want to be a passive bystander to the rain, but rather an active participant—fully immersed in the experience of being with the rain, just as she does with the rest of nature.

Language is how we assign meaning to actions, thoughts, and things. It plays a crucial role in shaping how we think and feel about the world around us. It allows us to define our experiences and interact with our surroundings. One fascinating concept that has been gaining attention in recent years is animacy, an Indigenous term that refers to the liveliness or vitality of plants, animals, and elements. It has been increasingly used to influence and enrich Western thinking, offering a perspective that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things.

Researchers have explored how the idea of animacy can help address urgent issues like climate change. It promotes a shift in mindset, encouraging us to see what were once thought of as "inanimate" objects—like animals, plants, and the natural elements—as beings with value, worth, and agency. For example, in some cultures, rain is not just a physical phenomenon, but a living entity with an identity. It is seen as more than just liquid falling from the sky to nourish the earth. Rain has a significance that goes beyond its functional role in the environment.

Historically, water has been revered for its spiritual significance, but today it is often treated as little more than a utilitarian resource. This lack of respect for water and nature has led to waste and neglect. However, by adopting the concept of animacy, we may be able to treat natural resources, like rain and water, with the care and reverence they deserve. This paper explores the potential of animacy to shift our perception of water and nature, offering ways to preserve and respect these vital resources through language.

To truly embrace animacy in our own lives, we must be present in nature, engaging with it directly rather than observing it from a distance. Only then can we fully understand the living, vibrant nature of the world around us. Kimmerer’s writing invites us to reimagine our relationship with the natural world, encouraging us to treat rain, water, and all of nature as sentient beings deserving of respect and care.

After reading this work twice, I’ve come to appreciate its depth even more, recognizing how Kimmerer’s exploration of animacy can change not only the way we speak about nature but also how we interact with it. By integrating animacy into our language and worldview, we have the potential to foster a more sustainable, respectful relationship with the earth and all its inhabitants.

Along with Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, I also picked up one of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s newer books, The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World. While I did enjoy it, I couldn't help but feel like it was essentially another chapter from Braiding Sweetgrass. I went into it expecting Kimmerer to bring something new to the table—some fresh insights or a deeper exploration of the topics she touches on in her earlier work—but I didn't feel that was the case.

The concept of serviceberries is something I find fascinating, and Kimmerer’s reverence for them and the way she describes their importance within the natural world is truly beautiful. However, much of what she shared in The Serviceberry felt like a rehash of ideas I had already encountered in Braiding Sweetgrass. From the themes of reciprocity and interconnection to the stories of plants and nature’s wisdom, it seemed like Kimmerer was revisiting concepts she had already explored in more depth previously.



It wasn’t that the book was uninteresting—it just didn’t feel as groundbreaking or revelatory as I had hoped. I was hoping for a more expanded perspective or an exploration of new topics, but instead, I found myself reading a lot of familiar territory. There wasn’t that sense of discovery or newness that I had expected, which left me feeling a little underwhelmed. That said, I still appreciated the insights into the serviceberry and its significance, but overall, it didn’t feel as fresh or innovative as I had anticipated.