Kiliii Yuyan
Drawing on his Indigenous (Nanai) heritage, Kiliii Yuyan photographs stories of humans in nature—whether dodging polar bears or diving with Indigenous sea-rangers. This National Geographic Explorer captures the essence of life in remote wildlands, beneath cold seas, and within Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Storyteller
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Polar Adventurer
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Cultural Explorer
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Indigenous Storyteller • Polar Adventurer • Cultural Explorer •
Award-winning Photographer, Speaker and National Geographic Explorer Kiliii Yüyan explores the deep connections between Indigenous peoples, wildlife, and the land/seascapes they depend on. Of Chinese and Nanai/Hèzhé (East Asian Indigenous) descent, he works through a unique perspective, exploring communities across the Arctic and beyond, showing us how to use experience honed over generations to solve the newest problems facing humanity. His storytelling emerges from years of shared experience—facing down polar bears with Inupiat hunters, diving through icebergs in search of 400-year-old sharks, and listening to those whose lives are intimately tied to the rhythms of the natural world. Through his photographs and narratives, Kiliii presents solutions and insights passed on from Indigenous cultures at the knife-edge of ecological and cultural change.
Speaking Topics
Resilience
Navigating the Future
Conservation
Exploration
Adventure
Nature
Culture
Watch Kiliii in action
Presentations
Indigenous Wisdom for a Thriving Planet
How have coral reefs, rainforests, and Arctic tundra endured for generations? National Geographic Explorer Kiliii Yüyan shares wisdom from Indigenous Elders and his own field experiences—from navigating Arctic ice in traditional kayaks to learning from communities living closely with wildlife. Drawing from Guardians of Life, he shows how Indigenous knowledge can guide a healthier future for people and the planet.
“The world is full of stories. But how many of those stories just tell us what we already know? Can photography grant us insight to the deeper questions?”
– Kiliii Yuyan