Kiliii Yuyan – Guardians of Life: How Indigenous Peoples Are the World’s Best Conservationists

A deep‑dive into the 10 Frames Per Second podcast episode with Kiliii Yuyan

🎧 About this 10FPS Podcast Episode

10 Frames Per Second is a photojournalism podcast hosted by Molly Roberts and Joe Giordano (with guest co‑host Alexa Keefe). In this episode, they sit down with Kiliii Yuyan, a Chinese‑Nanai photographer and writer whose work appears in National Geographic, Time, Vogue, and Wired.

The conversation revolves around:

• The launch of Yuyan’s book Guardians of Life: Indigenous Knowledge, Indigenous Science, and Restoring the Planet
• Why Indigenous peoples excel at conservation
• The concept of two‑eyed seeing (science + traditional knowledge)
• Real‑world case studies: Alaska whales, Mongolia’s shamanic shrines, Greenland’s land‑ownership model, Komodo dragons, and more
• Practical advice for aspiring photojournalists and grant‑seekers

🗂️ Table of Contents

1. Why Indigenous Stewardship Matters
2. Statistical Proof: Indigenous Lands & Biodiversity
3. Two‑Eyed Seeing: Merging Science & Tradition
4. Case Studies Highlighted in Guardians of Life
5. How the Book Was Made – A Behind‑the‑Scenes Look
6. Actionable Lessons for Photographers & Activists
7. What’s Next for Kiliii Yuyan?
8. Key Takeaways
9. Further Reading & Resources

📚 Why Indigenous Stewardship Matters

“Indigenous peoples are the best conservationists on Earth.” – Kiliii Yuyan

Indigenous communities have protected ecosystems for millennia, guided by cultural values rather than profit‑driven motives. Their deep relationship with the land translates into higher biodiversity, healthier wildlife populations, and resilient ecosystems.

Core Reasons

• Cultural Identity: Land is a relative, not a commodity.
• Long‑Term Perspective: Decisions consider generations ahead.
• Local Knowledge: Generational ecological observations are embedded in daily life.

📊 Statistical Proof: Indigenous Lands & Biodiversity

Indigenous territories protect 40% of Earth’s land and 80% of species

👀 Two‑Eyed Seeing – Science + Tradition

Two‑eyed seeing = using science as one eye and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) as the other. This dual perspective creates depth perception in environmental management.

“You gain depth perception, not just two pictures.” – Kiliii Yuyan

Benefits

• More accurate wildlife counts (e.g., Inupiat whale census increased from 800 to 8,000)
• Integrated climate‑adaptation strategies
• Co‑created policies that respect cultural rights

🌍 Indigenous Case Studies Highlighted by Kiliii Yuyan in Guardians of Life

Below are the most compelling stories shared during the podcast:

1. Inupiat Whale Management – Alaska

• Problem: 1970s International Whaling Commission claimed only 800 whales existed.
• Solution: Inupiat proved counts were off by 10×, secured legal right to manage whales.
• Result: Whale population tripled since 2011 while still supporting subsistence hunting.

2. Mongolia’s Shamanic Shrines

• Every hilltop & stream has a shrine, integrating spiritual practice with land stewardship.

3. Greenland’s Land‑Ownership Model

• No private land ownership → collective use, preventing exploitative mining or exclusive tourism.

4. Komodo Dragons – Indonesia

• Indigenous people revere the predators, building limestone pyramids over graves to protect bodies from dragons.

5. Fire Management – Australia & North America

• Indigenous fire regimes create mosaic habitats, increasing biodiversity and reducing catastrophic wildfires.

📖 How the Book Was Made – Behind the Scenes

• 2‑year fieldwork → ≈ 450 days on the ground
• 7‑8 years of idea incubation: research, grant proposals, and a $20k pandemic fellowship for six months of dedicated prep work
• Community collaborators (often called fixers but preferred “primary collaborators”) in every country – they facilitated introductions, logistics, and cultural trust
• Grant writing demanded deep “marination” of ideas – Yuyan emphasizes letting concepts simmer before pitching

“Give your ideas time to marinate in the juices of experience.” – Kiliii Yuyan

Takeaway for creators: Patience and genuine community partnership outweigh rapid production.

📸 Actionable Lessons for Photographers & Activists

• Focus on Story, Not Gear: Yuyan rarely discusses camera specs; he lets subjects drive the narrative.
• Build Trust First: Spend months in community life before shooting.
• Collaborate, Not Exploit: Co‑author captions with locals; let them approve text.
• Leverage Grants Early: Use fellowships to fund research before you need equipment.
• Use Two‑Eyed Seeing: Pair field observations with scientific data for richer storytelling.

Bullet‑point Quick Checklist

• ☐ Identify a community advocate (a “hub person”)
• ☐ Secure a small fellowship for research only
• ☐ Conduct a two‑hour listening session with locals before any photoshoot
• ☐ Draft captions in partnership with community members
• ☐ Submit a grant with a clear “why this matters” narrative

🚀 What’s Next for Kiliii Yuyan?

• Living with Predators (National Geographic Society grant) – a multi‑year project exploring how Indigenous groups coexist with apex predators such as Komodo dragons and Greenland sharks.
• Continued storytelling through TEDx talks, photo essays, and future book chapters extending Guardians of Life.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Indigenous territories protect a disproportionate share of Earth’s biodiversity.
• Two‑eyed seeing is a powerful framework for merging science with cultural wisdom.
• Community‑first approaches produce authentic, impactful photojournalism.
• Long‑term grant planning and “marinating” ideas are essential for large‑scale projects.
• Supporting Indigenous sovereignty offers the highest “bang for your buck” in conservation funding.

📚 Further Reading & Resources

📣 Call to Action

If you’re a photographer, writer, or conservation advocate, let Indigenous knowledge guide your next project. Subscribe to the 10 Frames Per Second podcast for more inspiring stories, and check out thumbnails of Guardians of Life from the link here.

Photojournalism, Indigenous stewardship, Conservation, Traditional ecological knowledge, Two‑eyed seeing, Whaling management, Inupiat, National Geographic, Guardians of Life (book), Indigenous sovereignty, Land ownership concepts, Kayak building, Commercial photography, Documentary photography, Ansel Adams controversy, AI colorization, Pandemic fellowship, Grant writing, Indigenous Futures magazine issue, Wildlife management, Fire stewardship, Komodo dragons, Greenland sharks, Māori river rights, Mongolian shamanism, Secularism vs. spirituality, Indigenous territories biodiversity, Cultural compulsion, Collaboration with scientists, Indigenous knowledge preservation, Indigenous conservation case studies.

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