Ancestral Wisdom for Parents and Grandparents

In an era marked by rapid change and uncertainty, how can we raise children who are resilient, grounded, and connected to their true nature?

Join us for a rare opportunity to learn from Ilarion “Kuuyux” Merculieff, a respected Unangan (Aleut) Elder from the Pribilof Islands of Alaska. As one of the last of his generation to be raised in a fully traditional Unangan way, Ilarion embodies a profound lineage of Indigenous wisdom.

In this Sacred Fire Lifeways program, Ilarion will share insights on nurturing children and grandchildren amidst today’s complexities. Drawing from his own upbringing—where learning was facilitated through observation, silence, and deep connection with nature—he will offer guidance on creating environments that honor a child’s inherent intelligence and spiritual connection.

As Ilarion reflects:

“I had a traditional relationship with an Aachaa, a mentor type role of an older person with a younger person. My Aachaa picked me out when I was 5 years old and he taught me much of what I know about being Unangan (Aleut), about hunting, about relationship to people, about being a man, and relationship and understanding of nature. Yet literally from age 5 to age 13 he may have said no more than 200 words to me because words are considered in a traditional way not only to be superfluous but to diminish one’s own understanding of things that are based on one’s own inherent intelligence, of what we call the real human being.”

This facilitated presentation will be followed by an audience Q&A, providing participants the chance to engage directly with Ilarion’s teachings.

We invite you to be part of this transformative experience.

About Sacred Fire:
Sacred Fire is an international nonprofit organization devoted to transforming lives by reconnecting individuals with the primal and spiritual force of Fire. Our Lifeways programs offer wisdom and tools to navigate life’s stages with resilience and grace, guiding individuals, families, and communities to recover ways of living in harmony with the natural world