Guardians of Life

Indigenous Knowledge, Indigenous Science, and Restoring the Planet

  • 224 pages
  • Braided River
  • 978-1-68051-838-2
  • Feb 2, 2026

Hardback
$49.95
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Description
"A visually dazzling and deeply informative collection that will linger with readers long after the last page." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Both breathtaking and intimate. . ." -- Foreword Reviews (starred review)

Guardians of Life: Indigenous Science, Indigenous Wisdom and Restoring the Planet, takes readers on an extraordinary visual odyssey--from the Amazon rainforest to Greenland's sea ice--revealing Indigenous communities as Earth's most powerful protectors.

This stunning volume, published by Braided River, is powered by the collective wisdom of more than two dozen Indigenous voices, including activist Quannah Chasinghorse and Palauan statesman Tommy Remengesau Jr. Their expertise is brought forward through National Geographic photojournalist Kiliii Yüyan's striking imagery, the editorial mastery of bestselling author (1491) Charles Mann, and writer Gleb Raygorodetsky's insights.

Together, this collection of powerful images and stories proves how traditional knowledge and modern innovation unite to safeguard the planet. Witness profound stewardship in action: from Mongolia's sacred peaks to Palau’s coral reefs, where ancient wisdom drives cutting-edge conservation.

Contributors

Foreword by Quannah Chasinghorse
Contributions by Charles C. Mann
Details
  • 224 pages
  • Braided River
  • 978-1-68051-838-2
  • Feb 2, 2026
Reviews
  • Both breathtaking and intimate, Kiliii Yuyan’s powerful photojournalism anthology Guardians of Life captures Indigenous-led efforts to reconnect people and the planet through traditional cultural practices.
    — Foreward Reviews (starred review)
  • A visually dazzling and deeply informative collection that will linger with readers long after the last page.
    — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
  • Yüyan’s hopeful, transcendent photo essay casts a glorious vision of climate optimism told from the voices of twelve different indigenous peoples across the globe.
    — Publishers Weekly
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