Lessons from the land: Greg Sarris’ new stories reflect on the natural world and Native America identity

“There is a patch of land where nothing grows,” Greg Sarris writes in “A Man Learns to Smell Flowers,” one of the stories in his new book, “Forgetters.”

The Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo Indians believe this flat, dry expanse along the road between Freestone and Bodega Bay was once was covered by a lush meadow of clover. They called it “a beautiful place.”

In this story and others, the Santa Rosa-born writer, academic and tribal leader explores familiar themes:  the Native American experience in Sonoma and Marin counties...