My adventure with Kiliii Yuyan: Life on Thin Ice
National Geographic Explorer and award-winning photographer Kiliii Yüyan illuminates the importance of human connection to the land and sea with three student presentations in the Jack Singer Concert Hall at Arts Commons May 27 (10:15 a.m.) & 28 (10 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.) with Kiliii Yüyan: Life on Thin Ice. Karen Youngberg, Arts Commons’ Associate Director of Education, was able to travel to Seattle, Washington (Yüyan’s hometown!) to see him live this past January. Read on to learn how it was a life-changing experience for her.
This past January, I was able to see Kiliii Yüyan: Life on Thin Ice in his hometown of Seattle, Washington. This was his very first National Geographic Live presentation and knowing this, I was nervous for him, but knew I was in for something special when I saw his kayak in the lobby of the S. Mark Taper Auditorium in Benaroya Hall.
Kiliii took the stage, and I was quickly pulled into an adventure that invited curiosity, surprise and an offering to hear about a different way of life. One that is passed along through story, a strong connection to ice, land and the umiaq or skinboat.
I felt the playful nudges from the orcas as I was transported to the Arctic, to where the Iñupiat live. I lost my breath as Kiliii spoke about life on ice, and how quickly one forgets that you are not on solid ground. One must be on constant guard for the sounds and movements the ice makes to keep the community safe.
Kiliii shares personal stories of how he came to understand his own Indigenous ways of knowing and the knowledge that has been passed along to him. I felt the stories that he shared and really for the first time, felt the power of Indigenous ways of knowing. I didn’t just hear it. It was felt.
What is a trip to the Arctic without learning about the polar bears, musk ox, caribou, and bowhead whale? Kiliii shares beautiful pictures and stories that tells the power of Indigenous ecological knowledge.
As the presentation came to an end, Kiliii was generous with his time and happy to answer questions.
One concerned student asked, “But what did you eat for dessert?” Kiliii smiled, and shared that dessert wasn’t a part of the diet of the people in the Arctic, but that he managed to bring with him a bag of Haribo gummy bears that he could enjoy.
I hope you will join us this May 27 & 28 for our student performances of Kiliii Yüyan: Life on Thin Ice in the Jack Singer Concert Hall at Arts Commons to learn why one should sing to the orcas.
