Loretta Pele Glanville

Loretta Pele Glanville is a proud Strong Mulgal, Dauareb, and Kaurareg woman from Moa Island in the Torres Strait, and the founder of the Totalai Land and Sea Indigenous Corporation.

 

Raised in Kubin within a family of ten, Loretta’s early life was shaped by her parents’ teachings and the deep cultural knowledge of her ancestral land and sea. Her journey reflects a powerful fusion of spiritual conviction, cultural integrity, and environmental leadership.

Currently working in the conservation sector across Zeneth Kes, Loretta champions Indigenous-led restoration and the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge into sustainable development. Her professional path began in the mining and civil industries, where firsthand exposure to environmental degradation inspired her to leave a high-paying role and dedicate her life to community service and ecological healing.

Loretta serves as a board member of PuipiKak Malu, an organization committed to revitalizing and rehabilitating culture, sea, and land by merging Indigenous knowledge systems with innovative solutions. Its mission promotes education, climate resilience, and sustainable economic development. Through her personal faith walk and unwavering dedication, Loretta facilitates youth programs, women’s mental health initiatives, and accredited training—always centering measurable impact and cultural authenticity.

As an active member of the Queensland Indigenous Women’s Ranger Network (QIWRN), Loretta mentors emerging female rangers, fostering leadership in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her work emphasizes the sacred connection between women and Country, creating spaces for healing, empowerment, and intergenerational belonging.

With experience in Registered Training Organizations (RTOs), Loretta has witnessed the transformative power of education for Indigenous youth. Her vision is to equip Torres Strait Islanders to become environmental practitioners and stewards of their land and sea, ensuring a resilient and culturally rich future for generations to come.
A gifted storyteller, Loretta shares her knowledge through weaving, art prints, and cultural narratives—educating others and advocating for awareness of global environmental change and its impact on her island home.