Reacting to this week's material by

Reacting to this week's material by https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7 What lessons do you take away from the essay? How do you think Kimmerer’s ideas can help us to envision and act on reconciliation? en-us 2022-01-05 20:08:49 UTC 2025-05-22 17:35:51 UTC hello@padlet.com Shreya Patel https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2133750792 As I was reading through "Returning the Gift" by Robin Kimmerer it was making me think about everything the Earth has given us, however, we never give anything to help the Earth in return. The Earth has even many gifts like food, nature, fresh air, oxygen, shelter, etc. Once I was done reading through the essay, I was thinking of how we can return gifts to the Earth. A few common ideas which can help the Earth are, helping to cause less pollution, following the three R’s which are Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, planting trees, Volunteer for cleanups around the community, etc. Doing the following can help save the Earth. If there is less pollution, then there will be less climate change which allows our air to be fresh and breathable. Moreover, if we use the 3 r’s we save space, and energy. As we can reuse some of the trash that we throw out. Next, when we plant more trees it allows us to breath in clean air, due to the trees keeping our air clean. To conclude, I personally think that is it important that we return the Earth a gift which is beneficial for us as well as the Earth itself.

]]> 2022-04-07 02:00:18 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2133750792 Building a Better Earth https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2133855615 The essay has taught me a lot of things. I have learned about Kimmerer’s central argument in Returning the Gift. It has taught me that one of the ways to be a better human being for others, especially for the planet, is to ground our relationship with the Earth in reciprocity. Kimmerer’s stand on giving back to the Earth is an eye opener for me. She discusses several points in her argument; gratitude, attention, recognition, change, and reciprocity. Kimmerer’s ideas can further help us envision and act on reconciliation by incorporating and practicing them in our daily lives. In my opinion, her take on change and reciprocity are what’s most important in building a better society to prioritize reconciliation with the nature and the Earth. If we focus on changing our hearts and minds to be more empathetic and compassionate towards the Earth, we would find it easier to reciprocate all the things that the Earth has done for us. In turn, if we reciprocate and give back to the Earth, then there would be more harmony between us making our atmosphere, environment, and the Earth as a whole a better place for not just humans but also for the nature as well.]]> 2022-04-07 03:19:29 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2133855615 Prerna Prakash https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2135091593 Kimmer’s piece is an eye opener when it comes to our actions against nature. How we only believe in taking and never giving back. Whether it is to our planet or to our fellow living beings. We are only extracting from the nature and never returning anything back to the planet. Extraction is stealing- as it is taking without consent – consent in this case of Earth or the without caring how it is impacting the other living things in the environment. All these things that are extracted are seen as resources which are being used up by us without realizing that we are not giving back to the earth and are only going to be putting an end to these exhaustive resources in the times to come. We need to learn to practice how to give back and that is possible when we first are grateful for what we are getting. Reciprocity comes when we respect the relationship we have with the land, the resources and all other living beings be it plants or animals. We just use things for our own good without seeing the bigger picture. We need to learn how to give attention so that we can be responsible. We need to know what and who we are taking from, giving to or even talking about to be able to acknowledge their importance. And all this happens when we bring about a change in ourselves because if it doesn’t start from within, we cannot expect to make a change in the world. These realizations are what we need to act upon to be able to work towards reconciliation. Indigenous peoples have always been considered as resources and not people and that’s the mindset that needs to change first before taking any steps towards reconciliation. Indigenous peoples are made to feel that they are only the consumers of the natural resources wherein, what we settlers need to acknowledge is that they have always been the producers, right from decades ago. Working towards gratitude, attention, change, recognition and reciprocity will eventually lead us to positive steps towards reconciliation not only between Indigenous peoples and the settlers but also the humans and the nature.]]> 2022-04-07 18:05:29 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2135091593 Help Heal Mother Nature https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2138224500 After reading the essay “Returning the Gift” by Robin Kimmerer, I learned about our selfish human traits of always taking more than we need. The idea of having “more is better” is not ideal. The Earth has given us food, water, air, and foundation to build our life. But what have we given back in return? For most of us the answer is nothing. Therefore, this essay has motivated me to investigate helping our Earth heal again. Some of the ideas I want to work on are…

· Reuse, Reduce, Recycle

· Organizing community cleanups

· Educating other on the importance of creating less waste

· Conserve electricity

· Carpool

· Plating trees

· Saving soil

Everyday, the mother Earth is struggling to function because of selfish human behaviours. We have been seeing increasing weather changes, wildfires, air and water pollution, overfishing, and starvation. The Earth will still be here for a while, but it may not look the same. Let us help mother nature heal so the newer generation can experience the true beauty and luxury of this planet Earth.

]]> 2022-04-10 19:54:49 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2138224500 Jay Patel https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2138254720 As I was reading the essay, it occurred to me that humans are all taking advantage of nature and never giving it back. The essay "Returning the Gift" by Robin Kimmerer had showed me the actual worth of nature. By adopting and applying Kimmerer's concepts in our daily lives, we may further assist us visualize and act on reconciliation. Kimmerer's examines appreciation, attention, acknowledgement, transformation, and reciprocity. By When I finished reading the essay, I recognized that the human-nature connection should be one of giving and receiving. After depleting our planet's resources, I wondered how we could possibly return to nature. We should endeavor to improve the environment by decreasing pollution, growing more trees, and, most importantly, raising environmental awareness. These are the realizations that must be acted upon if we are to strive toward reconciliation. ]]> 2022-04-10 20:45:34 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2138254720 Returning What was Taken - Adam Lariviere https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2138336807 Robin Kimmerer's essay "Returning the Gift" teaches us about gifts we can return to the Earth to thank it for everything we have taken from it. The main 5 gifts being gratitude, attention, recognition, change and reciprocity. We read that if our leaders aren't willing to lead change then we should lead then changes required to repair the Earth. Indigenous peoples all over Canada have been trying hard to retake their roles as caregivers of the Earth. We need to do what we can in order to return to the Earth what we can and to prevent more harm being done then what already has. We need to pay attention to what's going on and don't turn a blind eye to it.]]> 2022-04-10 23:23:13 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2138336807 Navreet Singh https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2140822307 After reading the essay by Robin Kimmerer , i came to know about the importance of things nature have given us . we are taking so many things from nature everyday but we are not saving nature. we are making the nature worse and worse everyday . nature gave us water, air and a lot things but we do not realize the actual importance of the things nature have gifted us . we should contribute in helping the nature by some ways. one of the best way according to me is reuse, reduce, recycle. this way can play a big role in helping the nature from many sides. by following this way, a large population will be reusing , reducing and recycling things which can save a lot of resources. the second thing as per me is planting trees. planting trees will produce more fresh air which is good for all of us including nature. i am searching about other important things also, that can help the nature and make the present condition better. everyone should help the nature because it is a very important topic and all of us must somehow contribute in saving the nature.

]]> 2022-04-12 13:29:17 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2140822307 Duc Anh Tran https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2141511562 Author Robin Kimmerer's essay showed me the love that nature has given us so much, it nourishes and gives us precious resources that cannot be measured. But people are developing more and more and thinking about protecting nature is decreasing. They are for environmental degradation and pollution, depleting resources from nature. Let's stand up and mobilize everyone to join hands to protect the environment as well as protect our loved ones. In many ways, it is to limit means of transportation and instead ride bicycles, electric vehicles instead of vehicles using combustion engines, plant more trees and limit littering in the environment.]]> 2022-04-12 21:42:59 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2141511562 Take With Love https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2142912058 What does Earth ask of us? Mother Earth has been giving, while we keep on taking. What we give in return for the gifts of the Earth? These are two perplexing questions from the essay. It is truly hard to figure out what we can give someone who has everything. But, Robin Kimmer's essay was an eye-opener. We might think that there's nothing we can do for Mother Earth. We might think that the little things we do to save and care for her is inconsequential. We can never be more wrong, if we think that. As they say, the little things make up the big things. By paying attention to the world around us, we get to know what the Earth needs from us. We can reciprocate her kindness by showing gratitude. We must not take her for granted, for she has given us all that she could give. We must change our ways. We must be selfless as she has been. We can give back to earth. Earth is our mother who deserves our love, gratitude and attention. As Marilou Awiakta said, "Take with love, and with love give back." (Angel Alexa Calumpang)]]> 2022-04-13 19:37:05 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2142912058 Eray Sahin https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2145755497 How will we pay our debt to Earth?

After reading the essay, I once again understood the value of how many products we get from nature as gifts. As in many other issues, human beings lead a life by consuming without recycling, not knowing the value of what they get from the Earth.

In order to appreciate the value of the gifts given to us by Earth, there must be understanding and love within us, no matter how much. Just as we owe the gifts we receive on our birthdays, we should also appreciate the hundreds of natural gifts we receive on our actual birthday and take it as a loan.

If people continue to live selfishly and just consume without producing or recycling, after a certain time what nature will give us will be limited. And no one will deny this fact. Because everyone knows their own responsibility, but when it comes to implementation, they don't make enough effort.

When the production ends, the natural cycle will also end. And the rate of production is directly proportional to the speed of the natural cycle. Once we begin to empathize, we can also empathize with Earth and continue to benefit from many gifts we could not imagine missing.

]]> 2022-04-17 01:20:46 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2145755497 Julius Soriano https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2146525760 After reading the essay "Returning the Gift" by Robin Kimmerer, I realized how many natural resources we get from Mother Earth. All we do is extract and gather for our own necessities and goods. We got used to our living conditions and didn't consider what will happen to the next generation. There's so much we can do for the planet, In return for all the resources we get, how about we take care of it. We can start by following the 3 R's, the reuse, reduce and recycle, by doing so we can stop the production of plastics which is harmful to the Earth's biosphere. We should also advertise the use of electric cars to reduce gas emissions and start planting trees and look for alternative materials for constructing buildings. The Earth is the only planet we can live on and we can call home, therefore we should take care of it. It will not only benefit us humans but also every living thing on ]]> 2022-04-18 03:37:31 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2146525760 Dalya Yousif (Our Beautiful Earth) https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2150482890
After reading the essay “Returning the Gift” by Robin Kimmerer, I have learned the value of the earth and how many gifts it gives to us every day. Also, we must think about What we give the earth back in return? And What can we do to help the earth? How can we save nature instead of making it worse? We must remember these questions before doing anything.

Kimmerer expresses her ideas of giving the Earth our respect for all the things that gave it to us. she mentioned as our ancestors acts of reciprocity and giving back as we take.

The main idea of Kimmerer’s essay is to show us how we are connected to the Earth and also to help us understand the importance of respecting it and Respecting environments.

She explains how our gift of gratitude can help us preserve and extend the life of our planet. “We understand that receiving a gift incurs a responsibility to give a gift in return.” (Returning the Gift) When the Earth gives us a gift we should return and provide it back for example not cutting the trees, not wasting water reusing , reducing and recycling things all these can help keep it beautiful and clean for the coming generations.

]]> 2022-04-20 14:50:03 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2150482890 Meet Thummar https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2151335391 After reading Robin Kimmerer's essay, I realized the value of the gifts that nature has bestowed upon us. We take so much from nature every day, yet we are not conserving it. We should all do our part to aid the environment in some manner. One of the greatest ways, in my opinion, is to reuse, reduce, and recycle.]]> 2022-04-21 02:41:36 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2151335391 Sanjana Bhardwaj https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2152595220 Robin Kimmerer's essay sheds lights on the gifts of mother nature to us, how beautiful the nature is . From the birth of the baby to the death every thing is constructed from the materials provided by the nature.
It is our role as individuals to take care of our nature, we should not over exploit it. We should use the natural resources wisely so that in future we might not get sacked from them and our future generations can also use them as a gift as we used them. The indigenous peoples were the caretakers and they respected the land thus we should give recognition to them and learn from their ways ]]> 2022-04-21 19:35:51 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2152595220 Joel Johnson https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2152734265 Nature and it's resources and how humans are destryoing it is something we were told since our childhood. I realized this long ago but as mentioned in the essay the only thing we need is gratitiude towards the gifts we recieve. When we realize the value of things we automatically start caring about it and start protecting it. We will stop destroying mother nature and start repairing the damage we have caused till now.]]> 2022-04-21 22:16:28 UTC https://padlet.com/katarinaohlsson/8db9glp1624x7jo7/wish/2152734265