Ilarion Kuuyux Merculieff 

Raised on St. Paul Island in the Bering Sea, at four-years-old Ilarion was given his traditional Unangan (Aleut) name: Kuuyux. There is one Kuuyux in each lifetime, and he was given the name by the former Kuuyux who came looking for the child to succeed him as Kuuyux, meaning: a bridge; a messenger; carrier of ancient knowledge into modern times. As a young teenager, Ilarion was taken to western schools. He climbed up the conventional ladder, became co-chair and head of 17 boards and councils, until he jumped. Ever since then, he has been living the legacy of his traditional name, Kuuyux. He is president of Global Center for Indigenous Leadership and Lifeways (GCILL) and co-founder and key speaker for the Wisdom Weavers of the World.