Join a small-group discussion to explore themes from Robin Wall Kimmerer’s acclaimed book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. This program takes place in anticipation of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Jefferson Humanities Forum talk on February 28 (register for the talk here!) and will be facilitated by third-year medical student Steven Bieser. Copies of Braiding Sweetgrass will be offered to participants after the discussion.
No reading is required to participate in this discussion, attendees are just encouraged to peruse the following prompts and bring any reactions/responses/questions to a fun and low-key small group session!:
- What can plants and other organisms teach us about our own origins? Origins of our own evolution? Of our medicines? Of the way we share (or fail to share) resources with one another?
- Do trees communicate? how? And what does it mean to "communicate" ?
- The intersections of plants and medicine go back millennia as humans have learned how to apply mixtures of extracts from Willow bark (Aspirin) to wounds and alleviate pain and reduce fevers as recorded by Sumerians and Egyptians, and then by great physicians from ancient Greece and Rome. And independently by Indigenous peoples of the Americas to alleviate toothache, headache, and arthritis!!
- Digoxin from digitalis (foxglove plants) is used to treat heart failure today but used to be used for epilepsy and may have influenced some of Van Gogh's most famous work: yellowish halos that illuminate his “Starry Night” painting are a recognized symptom of digoxin poisoning.
- How have plants influenced your own life and how will they impact your future?
This program is open to Jefferson students, faculty, and staff. Register through Eventbrite to receive a Zoom link for this virtual program starting 24 hours prior to the event.
