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Around 200 community members gathered at the May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society Wednesday night for an exclusive reading and discussion led by Robin Wall Kimmerer on her new book “The Serviceberry” and its central concept of creating community through a gift-based economy.

Kimmerer, a distinguished teaching professor of environmental biology at SUNY ESF and author of the New York Times Bestseller “Braiding Sweetgrass,” discussed her latest book’s central focus on the serviceberry plant. The plant’s lesson, above all, is that society should prioritize community over the individual, she said. As she read excerpts from the book, Kimmerer painted a picture of an economy without the constraints of capitalism and unchecked ambition.

“When the natural world is understood as a gift instead of private property, ethics limit accumulation of abundance,” Kimmerer said. “Gifts are not meant to be hoarded, and therefore made scarce for others, but given away, which generates enoughness for everyone.”

Kimmerer’s work is largely grounded in traditional Indigenous practices like potlatches, a gift-giving ceremony that reaffirms social status. Through Indigenous frameworks, Kimmerer said people have the power to create stronger local economies in the shadow of modern, large-scale financial systems.

She explained the tradition of gift economies in Indigenous communities, saying that her nation, the Potawatomi, often participates in a “giveaway ceremony” that reinforces relationships through gift-giving.

“Wealth and security come from the quality of relationships, not from the illusion of self-sufficiency,” Kimmerer said.“Without relationships with bees and birds, serviceberries would disappear from the planet. Even if they hoarded abundance, perched atop the wealth ladder, they would not save themselves from the fate of extinction if their partners didn’t also share in that abundance.”

Alexander Zhiltsov | Contributing Photographer

Around 200 community members and representatives from local organizations gathered for Kimmerer’s reading and discussion. Throughout her presentation, Kimmerer emphasized the value of strengthening the local economy.

Andy Mager, a coordinator for Syracuse Cultural Workers, said Kimmerer offers a unique perspective as both a deeply spiritual and academically dedicated person. He said the current American political climate makes it important for people like Kimmerer to speak up.

“There’s so many of us that are hungering for a different vision from what we’re seeing coming out of Washington right now,” Mager said. “The need for resistance, for people organizing and coming together to stand up for the values we believe in is greater than at any time in my lifetime.”

Rev. Jennifer VonRue of the MMUUS discussed the overlapping principles of her faith and Kimmerer’s teachings, calling for equality, openness and connection with Earth. She added that while life can make people feel separated from nature, every person is “woven” into the natural world — giving humanity further responsibility.

“There is a relationship with what’s around us. We are connected. Nothing is by itself,” Nancy Gallagher, an attendee, said. “How we treat what’s around us is a reflection of how we treat ourselves, and the more gracious we are, the more grateful we are . . . the more abundance there will be.”

Kimmerer urged the audience to consider the importance of relationships and how inextricably linked individuals are to their economies. Instead of distancing oneself from large-scale economic systems, Kimmerer advocated for reciprocity and avoiding accumulation for self-enrichment.

The event closed with a question and answer session and a book signing, where attendees asked Kimmerer for advice on creating community in their neighborhoods.

Published on January 30, 2025 at 2:22 am