Our Saskatoon, the Service Berry

Posted on by Linda McCann

I’m eagerly anticipating Robin Wall Kimmerer’s upcoming book The Service Berry, releasing November 19. Many of you may already be familiar with her book Braiding Sweetgrass, a favourite for so many. 

Here is what sparked my curiosity:  a friend shared an article by Kimmerer on the service berry, and it was truly a beautiful read.  I had not realized that the saskatoon berry is in fact, the service berry.

Living in the city of Saskatoon – misâskwatômina in Plains Cree – I was inspired to learn more about these trees that grow abundantly along the Saskatchewan (kisiskâciwan) river that winds through our city.

As a kid, I didn’t always find picking saskatoons in the pines, in the area referred to as River’s End, enjoyable.  The heat, the bugs, and mosquitoes made it hard work.   But it was fun to see whose pail filled up most quickly, to sort the berries and watch our hands stain purple, and later enjoy the canned berries over winter. 

I love Kimmerer’s reflections in her essay on The Service Berry: An Economy of Abundance in Emergence Magazine about reciprocity, abundance and generosity in the natural world.  

For me, this reciprocity and abundance involves sharing the saskatoon berry pies my husband makes, appreciating his attempts at pemican, and knowing that others – including birds – rely on this fruit.  In some locations there are signs to leave the fruit for the birds. And caring for our riverbank is a joyful way to support these berries.

I ponder the meaning of the name of the city I live in, the name connects me to nature , to what is sacred.

I will have my copy of the book soon, pre-ordered from our local Indie bookstore.

Some recent posts:

I delight in sharing my thoughts, such as these, in a newsletter, typically every few months. And now and then, ideas show up our Facebook page. Always love to hear from you via email.