Gunn-Britt Retter

Title: Head of Arctic and Environmental Unit

Unit: Arctic and Environmental Unit

Gunn-Britt Retter is a Sámi person based in Norway. Ms. Retter holds a degree in teaching from the Sámi University of Applied Sciences and in bilingual studies from the University of Wales. Gunn-Britt has combined her academic knowledge with the skills she learnt from her family and community growing up on the land and sea to focus her professional career on making use of Sámi Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge in both research and action related to climate change, biodiversity, language, pollution, and natural resource management. Ms Retter has more than years experience in working with Arctic affairs, and has served the Saami Council for 19 years, as the Head of its Arctic and Environmental Unit. Her main role is to coordinate Saami Council’s participation in the Arctic Council, and the UN CBD and the UNFCCC.

Gunn-Britt has a seat in following international committees and boards:

• Gunn-Britt was awarded the Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland in 2021;

• she has served as board member of International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) (2015 – 2024);

• board member of the Sámi University of Applied Sciences (2011-2019);

• and member of Sámi Parliament (Norway) for two terms (2005 – 2013).

• Arctic Indigenous representative 2022-2025 to the Local Community and Indigenous Peoples’ Platform (LCIPP) Facilitative Working Group (FWG), LCIPP is a constituted body under UNFCCCC.

• Saami Council’s Head of Delegation to the Arctic Council

• Harvard Kennedy School Arctic Initiative Board of Advisors

• PAWANKA Indigenous Fund Guiding Committee

• Nia Tero Advisory Council