Reading Reflection -- Gratitude and Reciprocity in Braiding Sweetgrass

For class today, we read two sections from Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass, which explores Indigenous knowledge as a complementary or alternative approach to mainstream scientific methodology. I especially appreciation Kimmerer’s exploration of the gift economy and culture of gratitude (106). To me, it seems that the ethical responsibilities that she outlines as part of reciprocity to the earth are essential to restructuring the relationship that some humans have with the land that hosts us. 

As part of her exploration of the gift economy structure of interacting with the Earth, Kimmerer emphasizes the ways in which the Earth has welcomed humans, and that we have an obligation to give back because of that. She mentions that since the beginning of time, other species on Earth have been a “lifeboat” for humans and that now, it is time for us to be theirs. She also highlights the generosity of the pecan tree, and the subsequent obligation of humans to protect the tree (13). Her exploration of moral obligation to give back because of what the Earth has given us reminds me of class conversations around our moral responsibility to protect species that we have harmed, such as the woolly mammoth. This extended exploration of moral responsibility in cases other than human-caused destruction feels valuable to reframing relationships with the land. 

I think the overarching culture of gratitude is what particularly stands out to me from this exploration. I deeply appreciate Kimmerer’s emphasis on a culture of gratitude underpinning or motivating reciprocity, as it extends past conversations I have had about the concept and provides a tangible reason for why humans should give back to the Earth. In a world where many humans are accustomed to the commodification of Earth, having a distinct and meaningful virtue of gratitude as a motivation to reciprocate can be meaningful in restructuring how many humans interact with land.  I believe that this transition from viewing nature as a commodity there for our taking is crucial to practice self-restraint (29) with natural resources, strengthening relationships with the land. 

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