Host Michelle Schroeder Fletcher interviews Larry Merculieff who is won of the presenters at the Earth and Spirit Council's Earthday Conference this Friday, April 20th and Saturday, April 21st.
Larry Merculieff has almost four decades of experience serving his people, the Aleuts of the Pribilof Islands and other Alaska Native peoples in a number of capacities. His reach has been broad and varied—a few of the positions he’s held include: City Manager of St. Paul Island, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development, President and CEO of Tanadgusix Corporation, Chairman of the Board of The Aleut Corporation, and General Manager of the Central Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association (one of the six Community Development Quota groups created by Congress to receive fish allocations in Alaska).
From 2000–2003, Merculieff served as the Director of the Department of Public Policy and Advocacy in the Rural Alaska Community Action Program. As Director, Merculieff led the largest subsistence rights march in Alaska’s history and emceed the subsistence rally after the march. The march was instrumental in protecting Alaska Native subsistence rights.
Merculieff has helped found and lead numerous environmental organizations. He has also won numerous awards for his work. In 2007 he received the Buffet Finalist Award for Indigenous Leadership, and the Alaska Forum on the Environment Award for Environmental Excellence, for lifetime achievements in environment.
Close to Merculieff’s heart are issues related to cultural and community wellness, traditional ways of living, Elder wisdom, and the environment. Having had a traditional upbringing, Merculieff has been, and continues to be, a strong voice advocating the meaningful application of traditional knowledge and wisdom obtained from Elders.
- KBOO