Ecological economics is an interdisciplinary field that integrates ecological and economic principles to address issues of sustainability, resource use, and environmental impact. It challenges traditional economic models by recognizing the economy as a subsystem of the broader ecosystem, emphasizing biophysical limits and long-term ecological health. In The Serviceberry, Kimmerer explores ecological economics as a modern perspective on traditional gift economies.

A gift economy is a system of exchange where goods and services are given freely without an explicit expectation of return, fostering social bonds and reciprocity. Unlike market economies, value is determined by relationships, generosity, and community well-being rather than price or profit. Kimmerer provides examples of this model from Indigenous cultures, communal societies, and modern digital spaces like open-source software. The Serviceberry advocates for gift economies as a way to shield humanity from destructive forms of capitalism.

Indigenous American culture encompasses the diverse traditions, languages, beliefs, and practices of the Indigenous peoples of North America, rooted in deep connections to land, community, and ancestry. It values reciprocity, storytelling, and sustainability, often emphasizing harmony with nature and collective well-being. Despite centuries of colonization and adversity, Indigenous cultures continue to thrive through resilience, adaptation, and revitalization efforts.