Indigenous Peoples’ organizations play a central role in Arctic cooperation, bringing their communities’ perspectives, knowledge, and priorities into discussions affecting the region. Their participation helps ensure that Arctic cooperation addresses the lives, livelihoods, and interests of Indigenous Peoples.

Six Indigenous organizations hold Permanent Participant status in the Arctic Council. This provides for their active involvement and full consultation in the Council’s negotiations and decisions. Permanent Participants contribute to the Council’s work alongside the eight Arctic states, whose agreement by consensus is required for Council decisions.

This section introduces these six organizations, the peoples and communities they represent, and their roles in circumpolar cooperation.