Description

Join us for a very special edition of the Nature of Writing Series, partnered with Setting Sun Circle and the North Cascades Institute! Renowned photographer, Kiliii Yüyan, will be discussing his new book, Guardians of Life, with a round table of community members, moderated by author, Jason Dove Mark! This special event will be held at Western Washington University's brand-new Lhaq ’temish-ew’xw ets’e Xwlemi’ - House of Healing, a Coast Salish style longhouse on WWU's Campus!

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT

Guardians of Life: Indigenous Science, Indigenous Wisdom and Restoring the Planet, takes readers on an extraordinary visual odyssey--from the Amazon rainforest to Greenland's sea ice--revealing Indigenous communities as Earth's most powerful protectors.

This stunning volume, published by Braided River, 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

Informed by ancestry that is both Nanai (Siberian Indigenous) and Hèzhé (Chinese-American,) photographer KILIII YÜYAN explores the human relationship to the natural world from different cultural perspectives. Kiliii has produced seven stories for National Geographic and has contributed to Vogue, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Guardian, and The Nature Conservancy. He is one of PDN’s 30 Photographers (2019), a National Geographic Explorer, and a member of Indigenous Photograph and Diversify Photo. In 2024 he was a presenter for the National Geographic LIVE series, reaching tens of thousands of people across North America with his story of circumpolar culture, life, and lands. Kiliii is based out of traditional Duwamish lands (Seattle). Visit him online at kiliii.com or on Instagram @kiliiiyuyan

Jason Dove Mark has served as editor-in-chief of Sierra and editor of Earth Island Journal. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and the Atlantic. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.

North Cascades Institute is an education nonprofit, inspiring environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature. Since 1986, the Institute has offered dozens of ways to explore the North Cascades Ecosystem, with hands-on learning adventures from the Cascades Crest to the shores of the Salish Sea. Diverse educational programs invite students of all ages to learn about the natural and cultural history of the region’s mountains and watersheds, explore interconnections between human and ecological communities, and work together to foster healthy Northwest ecosystems where all species thrive.  

Setting Sun Circle (formerly Children of the Setting Sun Productions) is an Indigenous-led nonprofit organization that weaves together storytelling, education, and research to amplify Native voices and inspire collective action to protect Mother Earth. After a decade of sharing Indigenous values through films, podcasts, gatherings and research, Setting Sun Circle is building a new home for Indigenous stories and innovation in downtown Bellingham. We invite everyone to join us on this journey.