Emergence Magazine Podcast

Practical Reverence – A Conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer

Nov 26, 2024
Join Robin Wall Kimmerer, a Potawatomi botanist and author known for her influential works like "Braiding Sweetgrass," as she explores the transformative role of the serviceberry. She discusses how embracing a sense of 'enoughness' can reshape our consumption habits and the ethical principles of the Honorable Harvest that encourage a reciprocal relationship with the Earth. Kimmerer critiques traditional economic views, advocating for a gift economy that recognizes nature's intrinsic value, and emphasizes the deep connections of gratitude and community.
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ANECDOTE

Introducing the Serviceberry

  • The serviceberry, also known as Juneberry or Saskatoon, is an unremarkable tree until springtime.
  • Then, it explodes with blossoms, followed by delicious berries enjoyed by birds and humans.
INSIGHT

Serviceberry as a Gift

  • In the Potawatomi language, the word for serviceberry is the root word for gift, emphasizing the plant's generosity.
  • Plants provide abundance through berries, medicines, and materials, especially during Niban (summer).
ADVICE

Embrace Enoughness

  • Recognize "enoughness," a radical act in our consumption-driven economy.
  • Contentment with having enough allows for sharing surplus and reduces environmentally damaging hyper-consumption.
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