Hclt community reads: braiding sweetgrass session 1

HCLT Community Summer Reads

Exploring Indigenous Wisdom: 5-Part Book Club on Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Join Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust on a journey of cultural exploration and ecological wisdom with our upcoming summer 5-part book club series, delving into the pages of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This immersive experience promises to engage participants in profound discussions, fostering a deeper connection to nature and Indigenous traditions.

Over the course of the summer, HCLT will host 5 in-person discussions in both Highlands and in Cashiers, over a 10-week period. The schedule for this series is as followed:

Wednesday, June 19th

• Section 1: Planting Sweetgrass (Chapters 1-6)
  • Hudson Library: 10:00am – 12:00pm
  • Albert-Carlton Cashiers Community Library: 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Wednesday, July 3rd

• Section 2: Tending Sweetgrass (Chapters 7-11)
  • Hudson Library: 10:00am – 12:00pm
  • Albert-Carlton Cashiers Community Library: 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Wednesday, July 17th

• Section 3: Picking Sweetgrass (Chapters 12-17)
  • Hudson Library: 10:00am – 12:00pm
  • Albert-Carlton Cashiers Community Library: 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Tuesday, July 30th

• Section 4: Braiding Sweetgrass (Chapters 18-25)
  • Albert-Carlton Cashiers Community Library: 12:00pm – 2:00pm

Wednesday, July 31st

• Section 4: Braiding Sweetgrass (Chapters 18-25)
  • Hudson Library: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Wednesday, August 7th

• Section 5: Burning Sweetgrass (Chapters 26-31)
  • Hudson Library: 10:00am – 12:00pm
  • Albert-Carlton Cashiers Community Library: 1:00pm – 3:00pm

It is not a requirement to come for all sessions, join us for as little or as many as you’d like! Each chapter of this amazing story is independent from one another, so reading the entire book is not a requirement for joining in on the discussion. We encourage you to join us, even if you’ve read this book before!

Books available for FREE for participants, on a first come, first serve basis, available at HCLT’s Highlands office (Suite 211, 348 South 5^th Street), as well as the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce (202 US-64, Cashiers, NC 28717). Please come by one of these offices during regular business hours (M-F, 9am-5pm) to pick up a copy; or, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about getting a copy outside of normal business hours.   

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a profound and eloquent exploration of the interconnectedness of nature, indigenous wisdom, and scientific knowledge. Kimmerer, a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, weaves together personal narratives, ecological studies, and indigenous teachings to highlight the reciprocal relationship between humans and the natural world. Through her rich storytelling, she advocates for a deeper respect for the environment and emphasizes the importance of gratitude, reciprocity, and stewardship. The book serves as a call to recognize and honor the wisdom of indigenous practices in addressing contemporary ecological challenges.

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign up and receive the discussion guide. Visit hcltnc.org/community-events for further details.

Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust (HCLT) is a nationally accredited non-profit organization dedicated to conserving land and water resources in the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau of western North Carolina. Through conservation easements, land acquisitions, and community outreach, HCLT works to protect the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and ecological integrity of the region for future generations.