Ilarion (Larry) ‘Kuuyux’ Merculieff

Ilarion has decades of experience serving his people, the Unangan (Aleuts) of the Pribilof Islands and other indigenous peoples in a number of capacities—locally, statewide, nationally and internationally. For his entire career, Ilarion has been a passionate advocate for indigenous rights/wisdom, and harmonious relationship with the Earth Mother. He has given keynote addresses at such forums as the National Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, White House Conference on the Oceans, and the World Congress of Ethnobiology. He also has lectured on traditional ways of knowing and Indigenous Elder wisdom at such places as Colombia University, University of Montana, Missoula, University of Colorado, Boulder, Seattle University, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and Oregon State University. His present work revolves much around the council of Elders he co-founded, called the Wisdom Weavers of the World, to bring the messages of Elders from throughout the world to global attention.