Braiding Sweetgrass Book Club

Community Information

Facilitating Department: Division of Graphic Design

Facilitator: jenn Stucker, Professor, School of Art

Community Duration: Fall 2025-Spring 2026

Please note: Registration for both the Thursday and Friday Groups is at capacity. Any new registrants will be placed on a waitlist.

Thursday Group Meeting Schedule, Modality & Location 

• Thu, Sept 11, 3:00-4:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Thu, Oct 2, 3:00-4:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Thu, Nov 6, 3:00-4:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Thu, Dec 4, 3:00-4:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Thu, Jan 22, 3:00-4:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Thu, Feb 19, 3:00-4:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Thu, March 19, 3:00-4:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Thu, April 16, 3:00-4:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room

Friday Group Meeting Schedule, Modality & Location 

• Fri, Sept 12, 1:00-2:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Fri, Oct 3, 1:00-2:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Fri, Nov 7, 1:00-2:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Fri, Dec 5, 1:00-2:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Fri, Jan 23, 1:00-2:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Fri, Feb 20, 1:00-2:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Fri, March 20, 1:00-2:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room
• Fri, April 17, 1:00-2:00 PM, Jerome Library, Pallister Conference Room

Community Participants: All BGSU faculty, adjunct instructors, graduate students, and staff are welcomed and encouraged to participate.

Community Description:

This academic year-long book club will explore and discuss Robin Wall Kimmerer’s best-selling book, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants, in preparation for Kimmerer’s campus visit in March 2026. Through group discussions, we will follow the “Braiding Sweetgrass Discussion and Question Guide” produced by Author’s Unbound, as well as engage in organic conversations on the text and our relationship to the natural world.  

This book club is intended for individuals interested in the environment, Indigenous wisdom, creative writing on scientific issues, and those who want to work through the book before Kimmerer’s visit. This community of practice will bring together a network of individuals interested in ecological consciousness, support those interested in leading similar discussions in their classrooms, and foster interdisciplinary relationships across campus. 

All members of the community will be provided with a copy of the book.

Community Learning Outcomes:

By participating in this community, you will be able to:

• Analyze key themes from Braiding Sweetgrass by participating in group discussions.
• Examine connections between Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and environmental stewardship, and reflect on how these perspectives inform personal and professional practices.
• Develop strategies to facilitate conversations on key themes in the book within classroom or community settings.
• Build interdisciplinary connections by exchanging ideas and perspectives with participants from across campus.

Participant Expectations:

As a member of this community, you are expected to:

• Meet the community learning outcomes by engaging with the text and discussions.
• Actively participate in and attend at least 80% of scheduled meetings, contributing to both guided and organic conversations.
• Complete readings in Braiding Sweetgrass in preparation for meetings.
• Complete any additional activities or assignments as determined by the facilitator.

Registration for this community is now closed.