Plants Have So Much to Give Us, All We Have to Do Is Ask: Anishinaabe Botanical Teachings Paperback – June 22, 2015

I love this book. It's not only full of practical knowledge, it is also a very readable and fascinating story about a Medicine Woman and her apprentice, containing plenty of humor. If I ever want to take a walk down memory lane, I just have to pick up this book. I personally knew Keewaydinoquay from the time I was 16, and later knew Mary. Mary's portrayal of Kee is spot on and Mary writes like she talked. What a special gift Mary left us with when she wrote down the knowledge Kee passed on to those of us fortunate to know her and study under her. There is only one piece of information that Mary left out about one plant, but I believe she did so intentionally, which is the same reason Kee never published the information about that plant herself. It was the first thing I checked. Mary honored Kee's wish that some things remain secret. If you ever wanted to know what it was like studying under a native Medicine Woman, Mary's book gives you an idea.

This book is truly a treasure. It conveys not only practical wisdom about plants, but the stories and legends associated with them. It also teaches the Ojibwe language--words for animals, phrases for beginning a story, how to say "thank you."I love the explanation of the 4 levels of being:First level is rocks, sun, moon, stars, weather---all the things that can exist with or without plants and animals. Second level is plants, which can live without animals. Third level is non-human animals, insects, and swimmers, which depend on plants for their survival, but don't need humans. Fourth level--most dependent--are humans, who rely on plants, animals, and soil/weather for food, shelter, and clothing. In this view of the world, humans are the least (most dependent/vulnerable) of all beings.I also love how she describes how, out of respect and gratitude, we should communicate with plants that we wish to remove from wherever they are and ask their permission and explain why we are moving them and how they will benefit someone.This worldview is a very holistic way of looking at our place in the world alongside our brother and sister plants, animals, and first level beings we are sharing "this time around" with.I find it fascinating that the Ojibwe language does not contain gendered pronouns (no he or she, no his or her) and that their Great Spirit/Creator Deity is likewise non-gendered.I bought several copies of this wonderful book to give as gifts for my friends and family who love to garden.

Very grateful to have found it! Incredible wealth of knowledge, wisdom and stories.

Good resource material

As a Native who doesn’t really know a lot of plant medicine this book was a joy to read and learn. It also gave me the back story on why I was given certain things to eat or drink as a child that I stop doing as an adult but now starting giving to my grand-kids. I tell people all the time to get it, I’ve bought it for gifts and I keep a version on kindle so I have it when I am on the road for reference. Thank-you for writing this book.

Wonderful!! Indigenous plant wisdom is the Truth, and Science will take forever to catch up, muddled by the chemical companies' need to turn a profit from everything and pretend that Nature is somehow inferior in her healing powers. Thank you for this book! I love it so much - reading for a third time to absorb it all.

Lovely overview of plant medicine with great personal stories that reads somewhat like a memoir. This is a treasured piece of history in which the plants are alive in current day family use in an approachable way! Amazing drawings. A special addition to any herbal library or a great introduction to the plant personalities in your backyard.

This is a valuable book to add to your library for both reference and entertainment. The combination of traditional stories, time-honored wisdom and accurate natural history is just perfect. Not only does it share the traditional uses of many plants (as well as animals and the landscape itself), but it also imparts the respect and stewardship that is so critical to conserving our natural resources. This is a great read for anyone interested in the natural history of not just the Great Lakes region, but also the way we human beings should fit into the natural world.