Indigenous views rank humans as younger siblings who must learn from plant elders

Evidence

In the indigenous view, humans are viewed as somewhat lesser beings in the democracy of species. We are referred to as the younger brothers of Creation, so like younger brothers we must learn from our elders. Plants were here first and have had a long time to figure things out. They live both above and below ground and hold the earth in place. Plants know how to make food from light and water. Not only do they feed themselves, but they make enough to sustain the lives of all the rest of us. Plants are providers for the rest of the community and exemplify the virtue of generosity, always offering food. — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass, 1272

Categorization

• XREF: Defines the ‘democracy of species’ and human-as-lesser-being positioning central to Eco-Justice critique of anthropocentrism and to Listening-to-more-than-human-voices. — connects to: Indigenous hunting frames taking animal life as an honored ceremonial kinship sacrifice — Rebecca A. Martusewicz, Jeff Edmundson, and John Lupinacci, EcoJustice Education: Toward Diverse,…, 1639