This quote clearly shows Kimmerer's relationship with the environment. It's a reciprocal relationship where she takes care of her garden, and Skywoman gives back to her as well as she says "shower of gifts and a heavy rain of lessons". She has a mutual respect with the environment just as the environment gives back to her garden.

-The first part of the quote gives a very technical feeling to how we approach agriculture using human manipulation to help increase productivity. The perspective tells us that nature is simply a tool to be exploited and controlled for human gain, where we often abandon the natural values of our ecosystem and the organisms within. There is a part that states, "What's love got to do with it?" This shows a utilitarian perspective where something is designed to be useful rather than attractive. A lot of this quote points out the lack of respect for nature.

i halom tano'

tata asks permission

of i taotaomo'na

who dwell within

he closes his eyes

& whispers "ekungok"

~

as [we] walk

he recites the names of each tree

each elder

"niyok"

"lemmai"

"ifit"

"yoga"

"nunu"

who provides [us]

clothes & tools

canoes & shelter

food & amot

~

"when you take"

he says

"take with gratitude

& never more than

what you need" (34-35).

This part of the poem shows not only the author's care for the environment, but all of Guam who also value their environment. They ask for permission from their homeland in order to show their respect and are appreciative of the gifts their environment has given them by using the word "provides" with the basic necessities of living. And especially the last lines of "take with gratitude & never more than what you need". This shows that they don't take advantage of what they're given from the environment and don't exploit it for other things.

named

our part of the ocean "micronesia"

because they viewed

our islands & cultures

as small and insignificant

small enough to become

plantations church missions military bases

nuclear testing grounds detention centers scientific laboratories & tourist destination

small enough to be extracted for

souls phosphate tuna sugar copra labor

soldiers lands & waters (76).

This part of the poem isn't talking about Perez's relationship with the environment personally, but other humans, especially those in government/political authority. He repeatedly states in this poem "small enough" and "insignificant" to show that humans view their environment as something to be taken advantage of. This contradicts the poem from pages (34-35) of how the people of Guam appreciate their homeland and never take more than needed while in this case, the people in authority are the ones taking advantage of the environment and see it more as a capitalistic gain for themselves.

-Humans and nature evolve together in a mutually beneficial. As the peach becomes sweeter, which is the goal for humans, in return humans should help with the survival of of this peach tree by spreading its seeds and helping protect it. There is also the concept that nature and humans have a mutual benefit from each other. The Earth provides us with sustenance, while humans help sustain nature. "Nurturing and protecting the young" is a way humans care for what nature provides us with. There is a theme of stewardship here as well because this is an approach that helps with the overall well-being of the world rather than using it for short-term gain. "Co-evolutionary circle is also an interesting term; I think it shows a connection between all life forms. Respecting nature requires taking responsibility for maintaining the balance and health of these interconnected systems and realizing that human actions have an impact on them. We can also look at the sweetness of the peach as nature repaying those who respect and care for it. Ultimately, the quote tells us that treating nature with respect requires us to recognize our part in this co-evolutionary circle.

Kimmerer makes a connection to the language of dancing and song and how it relates to Skywoman and the Earth. She describes Skywoman's actions as an act of Thanksgiving, which shows how humans can treat the environment with respect and gratitude. The language Kimmerer uses showcases a mutual care relationship between humans and the earth.

This quote reminds us that respecting nature involves intentional actions, recognizing nature's overall value, and maintaining (not one-sided) a good relationship with nature.

-When you think of braiding someone's hair, that's typically an intentional action that requires focus and care. When we put this action in the perspective of braiding the sweetgrass (aka mother nature), it shows us what intentions with nature should be like filled with love, respect, and awareness. The quote also mentions showing gratitude. I think this is something we forget too often since we don't realize how much nature provides for us. The Earth is our home, it provides food, air, and water, all things necessary to have a functional life. We should take our time to give back to the Earth instead of always exploiting and taking advantage. There is a connection to stewardship as well in this quote. Where it says we are "showing her all our love and attention" this also talks about our responsibility as humans to keep the Earth looking nice and help its well-being. Overall this quote reminds us that respecting nature involves intentional actions, recognizing nature's overall value, and maintaining (not one-sided) a good relationship with nature.

Kimmerer talks about the language of environmental destruction done by humans and how this breaks our relationship with the environment. Her last sentence when she talks about us humans seeing our environment in shambles, it shows that these negative portrayals limit our ability to think of a brighter future for the environment, something that will make us in harmony with nature. The language she uses emphasizes the power it can have to change someone's perspective about something, in this case, the environment.

The mention of this story showcases the importance of how language can be used to talk about our disconnection with the environment. Kimmerer uses juxtaposition with her word choice of "splendid isolation of technology" as for her friend, he had a great time by himself with technology rather than making a relationship with the environment. And the last sentence, she uses a metaphor to emphasize how much of a disconnect he had with his environment, to the point that it ended in him committing suicide.

-Mutual Exchange

The first quote talks about braiding sweet grass which focuses on the care of the Earth as an act of love and gratitude. This shows us a relationship where humans nurture nature while recognizing all it provides for us.

The second quote talks about a utilitarian perspective with nature challenging the idea that we need love and emotional connection with nature.

The third quote is a clear example of mutual benefit within nature. When the fruit is sweet, humans are more inclined to nurture and protect the peach tree.

-Respect

The second quote helps fight the idea that nature is simply a tool that we can use whenever we want for human benefit. We should be considering if love and respect play a part in our relationship with nature

In the first and third quotes, we can see that respect is displayed through acts of care such as protecting the peach tree or braiding the sweetgrass each action focusing on interdependence and gratitude.

-Interconnection

I think all the quotes have a part in exploring our interconnection with nature. The sweetgrass and peach show how our human-nature relationship thrives when we work together. The second quote shows us what happens when we lose this sense of interdependence and simply look at nature as a give and not giving back relationship.

Kimmerer, Robin Wall. Skywoman Falling: &, Learning the Grammar of Animacy. Millefolium, 2018.

Kimmerer, Robin Wall. Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. Zest Books, 2022.