Special Collections:
Ilarion Merculieff
Ilarion Merculieff shares Mother Earth's message on global challenges and Indigenous Elders' guidance. He notes that despite numerous environmental organizations, Earth's life support systems are failing. Merculieff urges a fundamental realignment in how we address human issues, stating "business as usual" is unsustainable.
With over forty years serving Indigenous peoples, Merculieff is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights and a harmonious relationship with Mother Earth. He leads the Global Center for Indigenous Leadership and Lifeways and advises other key organizations. The discussion was moderated by Andrei Gheorghe.
On July 14, 2011, Ilarion Merculieff addressed the Earth and Spirit Council. He shared insights into indigenous elder wisdom and the highly evolved spiritual cultures rooted in Mother Earth.
Merculieff's presentation also explored the concept of the womb as the Center of the Universe, emphasizing the sacredness of women.
Ilarion "Larry Merculieff" (Aleut), President of the Global Center for Indigenous Leadership and Lifeways, is a prominent indigenous leader.
At the AASHE 2015 Conference and Expo, he shared his life, culture, and knowledge, offering a vision for transforming sustainability education through an indigenous perspective.
Ilarion (Larry) Merculieff, an author and native community connector, has dedicated nearly four decades to serving the Aleuts of the Pribilof Islands and other indigenous peoples. His extensive experience includes leadership roles as City Manager of St. Paul Island, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development, and CEO of Tanadgusix Corporation.
Merculieff also chaired The Aleut Corporation and managed the Central Bering Sea Fishermen's Association. As Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for the Rural Alaska Community Action Program, he notably led Alaska's largest subsistence rights march.
This excerpt features an interview with Aleut elder Larry Merculieff from the Native Perspectives on Sustainability project. Merculieff critiques the term "sustainability," advocating for humanity's inherent intelligence to live in alignment with all creation.
This series, "Native Perspectives on Sustainability," is produced by David Hall of Portland State University.
Larry Merculieff presented "Womb at the Center of the Universe" at the Earth Day Conference 2012, sponsored by the Earth & Spirit Council. This excerpt is from a three-hour teaching circle.
Merculieff's presentation emphasizes "Original Instructions" and "Natural Laws" for harmony, highlighting women's vital role and discussing the "New Spiritual Warrior." Videotaped by Barry Heidt of Sustainability Action Media (SAM) on April 20, 2012, a longer version is available on YouTube. The full teaching, "TEACHINGS FROM THE WOMB: The transformative Powers of Ceremony," is also accessible and was added to the EarthSayers.tv collection by Ruth Ann Barrett.
Environmental Scientist and Advocate
What EarthSayers stands for
Discover Diverse Voices on EarthSayers
Unlike algorithm-driven platforms that push you into a content bubble, we ensure you hear a variety of perspectives from scientists, activists, Indigenous leaders, business innovators, and everyday citizens working toward sustainability.
EarthSayers CINEMA
Watch, learn and lead—sustainability starts with you.
The Thinking Game | Full documentary | Tribeca Film Festival official selection
“The Thinking Game” is the inside story of DeepMind's groundbreaking AI research, culminating in the Nobel Prize-winning AlphaFold breakthrough. Filmed over five years by the award-winning team behind "AlphaGo," this documentary explores co-founder Demis Hassabis's lifelong pursuit of artificial general intelligence and the rigorous scientific journey from mastering strategy games to solving the 50-year-old protein folding problem.
Following its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival, "The Thinking Game" is now available to watch for free. For those interested in hosting a screening for a classroom, community, or workplace, visit: rocofilms.com/films/the-thinking-game/.








