“The most important thing each of us can know is our unique gift and how to use it in the world. Individuality is cherished and nurtured, because, in order for the whole to flourish, each of us has to be strong in who we are and carry our gifts with conviction, so they can be shared with others.” (Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass, p. 134)
Robin Wall Kimmerer, Anishinabekwe scientist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass, has shaped how I think. Though I am a white woman of European descent, I identify with the stories of care and insight she shares throughout her book. From the first paragraphs of the preface, I imagine with Robin that sweetgrass is the hair of my childhood. I feel myself leaning into the gentle tug of my mother’s hands who plaits my hair with love, skill and tender strength. I imagine how different strands of experiences and knowledge twist and turn, winding around one another – never remaining solitary strands but rather intricately weaving into a braid of unique identity. I recognize how my values and passions are woven into this braid of life too, even when circumstances make these values and passions hard to bring into focus.
As early learning and care educators we know we have a unique and pivotal role in growing citizens who can live into joy, empathy, intelligence, creativity, and connectedness with one another and the natural world. Caring for and teaching young children is priceless. It shapes lives. Yet, so often, we perceive society’s view of children’s early learning and care to be important solely for economic reasons.
Robin Wall Kimmerer invites us to know ourselves, to discover and value our gifts as educators, carers, and co-learners alongside children. Being grounded in who we are, what we value, and the gifts we have to share with one another offers all of society a place to flourish.
What are the unique gifts you share with the world? How will you, with conviction, weave them into your work and living with children, families, colleagues, and the world in which you live?