Guardians of Life

Stunning visual storytelling from an award-winning National Geographic photographer Seminal work celebrating Native leadership in the fight against human-caused climate change Includes dozens of interviews with Native leaders and essays from renowned historians Charles C. Mann, Gleb Raygorodetsky, and Erjen Khamaganova

Guardians of Life brings readers into the lives of Indigenous communities around the world, showcasing their unique and enduring relationships with their ancestral lands and waters Award-winning National Geographic photographer Kiliii Yueyan takes readers to the Arctic circle and the jungles of Ecuador, the rivers of California, and the steppes of Mongolia, to highlight the vital role Indigenous communities play in sustaining the Earth. Through vivid portraits and immersive narratives, Guardians of Life introduces elders, youth, hunters, farmers, spiritual leaders, and artisans whose knowledge and practices reflect generations of environmental stewardship and reverence for life.

Grounded in the personal experiences and sovereign rights of Indigenous people, Yueyan offers a holistic vision for climate resilience, cultural survival, and planetary healing. It is both a celebration and a call to action--an invitation to learn from Indigenous wisdom and to support a global movement rooted in reciprocity, care, and the protection of all life on Earth.