Tag: Potawatomi

Braiding Sweetgrass

I am reading a good book…savoring it is more like it: Braiding Sweetgrass. A few months ago, I ordered the book from the Northfield Library, and by mistake, I got the book on CD. I was immediately captivated by it and hadn’t finished listening to by the time it was due, so I ordered it again, both the CD’s and the book. I have enjoyed reading the book and listening to the audio version.

The book on CD, read by the author…always a special treat.

The book, Braiding Sweetgrass, is written by Robin Wall Kimmerer; a mother, scientist, decorated professor and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. 

The book is described as “A hymn of love to the world” by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is a book on “Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants.”

A basket of sweetgrass (and one bee balm stem). photo by LR.

Robin Wall Kimmerer’s vivid descriptions, explanations and metaphors delight the reader. It is a book for nature lovers and anyone interested in learning about the indigenous ways, and teachings from the land and plants. It’s fascinating.

Picking sweetgrass. Photo by LR.

The recurring theme is sweetgrass, Mother Earth’s hair, one of the four sacred grasses for the indigenous people (sweetgrass, sage, tobacco, cedar). Braiding sweetgrass is a tradition, and they believe having braids in the home, or given as gifts, brings positivity and goodwill and kindness…and wards off negativity. Traditionalists also “smudge” the braids, that is burn them, in ceremonies. 

Gathering sweetgrass in the basket. Photo by LR.

While reading through the book I was inspired to braid sweetgrass. I was talking with a friend, an herbalist (her website is https://www.cannonvalleyherbals.com – check out her website for a recent article on sweetgrass under the “Blog” section) and she told me she had sweetgrass growing in her gardens. She said I was welcome to come and pick some sweetgrass for braiding. So I did.

I placed the sweetgrass on an amber, antique glass plate and made herbal, ice tea to create my workspace to braid.

She showed me what sweetgrass looked like (always a good first step!), then how to pull it out by the roots. It has a light vanilla fragrance…and if you taste the root you can taste sweetness. She left me alone to pull a basketful of sweet grass. Afterwards, she took a minute to show me how she has braided sweetgrass. I took my good fortune home and started in. 

Having fun, braiding sweetgrass. Photo by GB.

I had great fun braiding the grasses, using large clumps, and strands of seven in each clump. The scent is pleasant and subtle, and the results of the braids were rewarding.

Beebalm blooms, an added touch, to my first braid, now on my front porch.
A braid of sweetgrass wraps around the bottom of my aloe vera pot.

I recommend this book. It is a fascinating read.

Strawberries

Tis’ the season for strawberries. I used to pick them at a local strawberry farm, but now I purchase pre-picked berries.

I made freezer jam last week. While cleaning the berries I noticed this sweet berry shaped like a heart.

I have been listening to a book entitled Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This is an excellent, non-fiction book. Robin Wall Kimmerer is a gifted story teller and an amazing botanist.

In her book she states, “In Potawatomi, the strawberry is ode min, the heart berry. We recognize them as the leaders of the berries, the first to bear fruit.” She goes on to talk about the legend of strawberries.

I smiled when I saw this berry, thought of the Potawatomi story of the strawberry, gave thanks, and then used it for my jam!