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 inside story of the AI breakthrough that won a Nobel Prize.
The Thinking Game takes you on a journey into the heart of leading AI lab DeepMind, capturing a team striving to unravel the mysteries of intelligence and life itself.
Filmed over five years by the award-winning team behind AlphaGo, the documentary examines how DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis’s extraordinary beginnings shaped his lifelong pursuit of artificial general intelligence. It chronicles the rigorous process of scientific discovery, documenting how the team moved from mastering complex strategy games to solving the 50-year-old "protein folding problem" with AlphaFold - a breakthrough that would win a Nobel Prize.
Following its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival and a successful international tour, the film is now available here to watch for free.
Interested in hosting a screening of The Thinking Game for your classroom, community, or workplace? Visit: https://rocofilms.com/films/the-thinking-game/
Director Greg Kohs
Producer Gary Krieg
Executive Producers Tom Dore, Jonathan Fildes
Co-Producer Greg Kohs
Editor Steve Sander
Cinematographer Greg Kohs
Composer Dan Deacon








