Indigenous Gardens

talk

Indigenous Gardens

Thursday 15 January

An evening with Robin Wall Kimmerer, Amanda Thomson, and Rosa Vasquez Espinoza

Join three bestselling and globally renowned authors to explore how indigenous knowledge has shaped the garden as a space of care and collaboration with nature, and as an ancient act of design.

From the Potawatomi Nation to the Rainforest of Peru and the Highlands of Scotland, we'll hear about the indigenous teachings that have influenced our relationships with the land and with each other.

Please note: Robin Wall Kimmerer will be joining us remotely for this event.

Thursday 15 January 2026

19.00 – 20.30

Upper Foyer

£20 / £16 concession

About the panel

Dr Robin Wall Kimmerer (North America) is the highly decorated professor, mother, botanist and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation behind the multi-million bestselling book Braiding Sweetgrass. The book explores the intersection, wisdom, and sometimes conflict, between her Native American upbringing and scientific learnings. She is listed as one of Time’s 100 most influential people of 2025.

Amanda Thomson (Scotland) is a visual artist whose work often explores our complex relationship with the natural environment. Her Wainright Prize shortlisted book Belonging: Natural Histories of Place, Identity and Home is a personal memoir reflecting on family, identity and what it is to have and make a home in Scotland. Her work Boundary was featured at 2023’s Venice Architecture Biennale, and V&A Dundee, as part of A Fragile Correspondence.

Dr Rosa Vasquez Espinoza (Peru) is a chemical biologist, National Geographic explorer and award-winning conservationist looking at indigenous knowledge and modern science. Her book The Spirit of the Rainforest is a memoir exploring the wonders and teachings of her back garden – the Amazon Rainforest. She is the founder of Amazon Research Internacional, recipient of 2025’s UNESCO Al Fozan Prize and Peru’s Order of Merit – the country’s highest state recognition for environmental protection.

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