By Shiraz Noorani, Graduate Student Researcher, Center for the Humanities, UC Merced 

The Serviceberry, written by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a Potawatomi botanist, is a short but profound book on the interconnectedness of nature, reciprocity, and the gift economy. It offers a deeply insightful perspective on our relationships with each other and with nature. In her work, Kimmerer bridges Western scientific approaches with Indigenous ecological knowledge and advocates for an environmental ethic rooted in Indigenous wisdom. 

Kimmerer argues that the market economy has contributed to climate catastrophe. She explores the possibility of moving away from the market economy, which is more concentrated on competing, buying, and selling goods for personal profit, toward a gift economy, a concept based on reciprocity and mutual care.   

Kimmerer draws inspiration from the serviceberry tree. She explains that nature shares its produce freely with the whole ecosystem without any expectation in return. In exchange, those who receive this produce can contribute back in various ways, such as spreading seeds, planting trees, or watering them.  

Furthermore, since climate change, global warming, pollution, deforestation, and rising sea levels threaten human existence on the planet, it is a crucial  time to think about alternatives to the current market economy. Kimmerer says, “In times of crisis, the gift economy surges up through the rubble of an earthquake or the wreckage of a hurricane” (Kimmerer 43).    

Kimmerer weaves personal narrative, indigenous knowledge, and ecological insights throughout the book in a poetic way. This approach to describing the gift economy may seem overly idealistic to some. However, she offers concrete examples to explain how a gift economy operates on principle of reciprocity and abundance within Indigenous communities and natural systems over time.    

Kimmerer explains how communities operated within the gift economy in the past; they shared their resources, and their relationships were a measure of how wealthy they were rather than how much money they had. For example, she says, “In a traditional Anishinaabe economy, the land is the source of all goods and services, which are distributed in a kind of gift exchange: one life is given in support of another. The focus is on supporting the food of the people, not only the individual” (Kimmerer 8). Her argument makes readers reconsider how they view wealth and community. 

To sum up, The Serviceberry is a thought-provoking piece that explores the relationship between nature, economy, and community. Through poetic narration and deep ecological insight, the author invites readers to reconsider their connection with the world and envision a future where relationships are centered around sharing resources. This book also encourages readers to rethink their definitions of wealth, abundance, and responsibility for the planet and each other. 

By Karla Seijas, Graduate Student Researcher, “Our Interwoven Futures” Mellon Foundation Grant, UC Merced

With her book The Serviceberry, Robin Wall Kimmerer shares methods that are important for a community to thrive. Communities can thrive when neighbors gather together to create unity, support one another and create lasting relationships. The book travels through topics of nature, gardening, economy, values and love.

Different types of gift economies are discussed in the book. The earth provides an abundance of natural gifts and in our own communities, we regularly participate in gift economies. Neighbors exchanging fruit is an example of this that Kimmerer provides. Instead of buying fruit at the grocery store for a dessert, one neighbor can bake a blueberry pie with the gift of blueberries they receive from their neighbor. The pie is more than food or a simple dessert. It is a gift that has meaning. It is tied to a relationship and is made with intention and love. The ingredients used are from the earth and have more value than if they were purchased from a store. Such gift economies can generate happiness and a sense of comfort that is priceless.

Kimmerer discusses the web of mutual relationships that exists to ensure that everyone in our communities is supported. I have witnessed similar webs of existence in my community through little free libraries, food sharing sites, community cleanups and free fitness groups. People of all ages can participate. There are many such examples of neighbors helping neighbors in communities across our world.

The Serviceberry is a straight-forward, relatable read that keeps the reader engaged with each turn of the page. This book allows for a deep reflection on our own communities. It will encourage you to evaluate what exists in your community and analyze areas that need more involvement to ensure our communities are thriving. Not only does Kimmerer provide examples of what works but she allows for one to imagine the potential of what could be.