This lovely little book explores the importance of community and, more specifically, engaging in a circular, "gift" economy. Kimmerer's work brings to attention the foundational Native ideology that everything from the earth is a gift to be treated with the utmost reverence and respect. In this latest work, the author of "Braiding Sweetgrass" explores the intersection between this Native doctrine and our capitalist economy. She argues that with a definition of economics that inherently focuses on scarcity and demand comes a societal "mindset that is based on commodification of goods and services." Instead, Kimmerer advocates for (and I'm quite inclined to agree with her) a shift from the scarcity mindset to a gift/circular economy, which reframes goods not as scare commodities but as gifts of abundance to be valued and shared.

She introduces the reader to the concept of biomimicry - " the practice of observing the living world and taking inspiration for human ways of living" - which provides a fascinating departure from our current capitalistic mindset, one that, as the title suggests, fosters abundance and reciprocity in our world. She uses the example of the serviceberry tree, whose fruit nourishes birds, who then spread its seeds. In this reciprocal cycle, everything has its place, and everyone's needs are met through acts of giving

"The threat of real scarcity on the horizon is brought to us by unbridled capitalism. Extraction and consumption outstrip the capacity of the Earth to replenish what we have taken. An economy based on the impossibility of ever expanding growth leads us into nightmare scenarios."

This brief but profound book encourages us to rethink our relationship with the Earth and with one another. It’s an inspiring call to build communities rooted in giving, mutual respect, and trust. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a more meaningful and sustainable way of living.