“The prosperity of the community grows from the flow of relationships, not the accumulation of goods. When the natural world is understood as a gift instead of private property, there are ethical constraints on the accumulation of abundance that is not yours to own. Gifts are not meant to be hoarded, and thus made scarce for others, but given away, which generates sufficiency for all.”
~ Robin Wall Kimmerer
***THIS DISCUSSION HAS BEEN CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
THANK YOU!***
In our next book “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World,” Robin Wall Kimmerer asks the question: How can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most?
The Indigenous scientist and author of “Braiding Sweetgrass,” Kimmerer shares how as she harvests serviceberries alongside the birds, she considers the ethic of reciprocity that lies at the heart of the gift economy. Our economy is rooted in scarcity, competition and the hoarding of resources, she says, and we have surrendered our values to a system that actively harms what we love. Meanwhile, the serviceberry’s relationship with the natural world is an embodiment of reciprocity, interconnectedness and gratitude.
The tree distributes its wealth – its abundance of sweet, juicy berries – to meet the needs of its natural community. And this distribution insures its own survival.
Kimmerer, who also is a proud mother, decorated professor and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation – a federally recognized tribe of Potawatomi people located in Oklahoma – is the author of numerous scientific papers on plant ecology, bryophyte ecology, traditional knowledge and restoration ecology.
OPEN TO ALL!
TO REGISTER
When/Where: June 19 at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time (US and Canada) via Zoom.
Register in advance* for this meeting at bit.ly/shadesbookclubreg-june25
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. If you do not, please email us at infoshadesmagazine@gmail.com.
Learn more about the books/author:
- Goodreads: (A helpful website to read about books, but doesn’t sell them.)
- Robin Wall Kimmerer on Wikipedia
- Author website
Purchase books:
- Amazon: The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World
- Online book sales: Google
Free from the library:
- Check out in person
- Libby (app+your local library card) for ebook or audiobook (or your library may use a different app such as Overdrive or Hoopla)
- If your local library has limited options, many libraries allow you to get a card even if you are not local. NY public library – any New York Resident. San Jose public library – any CA resident. Or try a neighboring city or county. Google for your location.
Purchase options other than Amazon
- Your local independent or chain book store will order for you if they don’t have it in stock.
- Order from Bookshop.org and choose which Indie Bookstore gets the sale.
- Order audiobooks from an Indie Bookstore of your choice using the app Libro.fm (subscriptions available, but not required).
Cover photo: robinwallkimmerer.com