COMING SPRING 2026!
Guardians of Life
Indigenous knowledge, indigenous science, and restoring the planet
Guardians of Life
Indigenous knowledge, indigenous science, and restoring the planet
Photography by Kiliii Yüyan
Essays by Charles C. Mann and Gleb Raygorodetsky
Introduction by Quannah Chasinghorse
Epilogue Essays by Leaf Hillman, Lisa Morehead Hillman, Erjen Khamaganova, Tommy Remegesau Jr.
““Indigenous peoples have mastered the art of living on Earth without destroying it. They continue to teach and lead by example. We must heed these lessons, if we want our grandchildren to have a future.” ”
Guardians of Life: Indigenous Science, Indigenous Wisdom and Restoring the Planet, is an extraordinary visual journey that reveals Indigenous communities as Earth's most powerful protectors. The odyssey spans the globe, from Palau's coral reefs and Mongolia's steppes to the Amazon's rainforests and Greenland's sea ice.
This stunning volume is powered by the collective wisdom of more than two dozen Indigenous voices, including activist Quannah Chasinghorse and Palauan statesman Tommy Remengesau Jr. Their expertise is brought forward through National Geographic photojournalist Kiliii Yüyan's striking imagery, the editorial mastery of bestselling author (1491) Charles Mann, and writer Gleb Raygorodetsky's insights. Together, this collection of powerful images and stories proves how traditional knowledge and modern innovation unite to safeguard the planet. Witness profound stewardship in action: from Mongolia's sacred peaks to Palau’s coral reefs, where ancient wisdom drives cutting-edge conservation.
Click here to download the full PDF description of this project!
About Kiliii yüyan
Photographer and National Geographic Explorer Kiliii Yüyan brings to life stories from the Arctic sea ice, beneath the waves, and within the heart of human communities. Of Chinese and Nanai/Hèzhé (East Asian Indigenous) descent, he works through a cross-cultural lens, exploring how humanity—inseparable from the natural world—lives in relationship with land and sea.
Kiliii has spent years immersed in the polar regions, documenting Indigenous lifeways, marine ecosystems, and remote landscapes. His fieldwork is shaped by experience in the field: he has faced down a stalking polar bear, dived among sea snakes, and found connection and understanding among people often overlooked at the world’s edges. His photography and storytelling appear in National Geographic, TIME, Vogue, WIRED, and other major publications. He also builds traditional kayaks, maintaining a living link to his northern Indigenous heritage.
In 2023, Kiliii was honored with the Eliza Scidmore Award for Outstanding Storytelling, one of National Geographic’s highest recognitions. His work has been recognized by Pictures of the Year, Leica Oscar-Barnack, PDN, and ASMP, and is held in museum collections across the U.S.
A dynamic speaker and storyteller, Kiliii has taken the stage at TEDx, toured with NatGeo Live, and now keynotes through Changemaker Talent, sharing the human stories behind his images. Based in Seattle, he is more commonly found beneath the sea or atop Arctic ice. Visit his website.