Anna Degteva to be new Executive Secretary of the Indigenous Peoples' Secretariat 4 September 2017 The Indigenous Peoples’ Secretariat is proud to announce the hiring of a new Executive Secretary. Anna Degteva, who belongs to the Veps indigenous people of Russia, has been working with indigenous and Arctic issues for more than a decade. The Indigenous Peoples’ Secretariat, which is part of the Arctic Council Secretariat in Tromsø, Norway, is proud to announce the hiring of a new Executive Secretary. Anna Degteva, who belongs to the Veps indigenous people of Russia, has been working with indigenous and Arctic issues for more than a decade. She received her education in Russia and in Norway in fields related to the support and advancement of indigenous peoples, and worked thereafter on numerous projects focused on reindeer husbandry and capacity-building among Arctic indigenous youth. Many of those projects were directly connected to the Arctic Council via Working Groups AMAP, CAFF, and SDWG, and via Observers UArctic and the Association of World Reindeer Herders. This experience gives Ms. Degteva good knowledge of the Council’s “ins and outs” to prepare her for the work ahead. “I am looking forward to working with indigenous organizations and communities to enhance their contribution to the Arctic Council's multilateral cooperation”, says Anna Degteva in anticipation of entering the office. Ms. Degteva speaks fluent Russian and English. We look forward to having Ms. Degteva join us here in Tromsø.