Through this virtual consulate, we look forward to extending our dialogue with the people of the Northwest Territories and with others interested in learning more about the Northwest Territories. This site aims to assist the people of the Northwest Territories in accessing relevant information about the United States and to assist Americans interested in finding out more about the Northwest Territories.

News & Events

30 October 08
Arctic Trip - North Warning System
From October 7 to 10, Terry Breese, the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) of the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, traveled to the Arctic region of Canada to view first-hand the "North Warning System" (NWS) that Canada and the United States operate as part of their joint defense of North America. This was the first Arctic visit for a DCM, and Breese covered over 5400 miles during the four-day trip. [more]

11 August 08
Two Scientific Cruises to Map Arctic Seafloor
The U.S. Extended Continental Shelf Task Force, chaired by the Department of State, plans two Arctic cruises by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy this summer, one of which will be conducted in collaboration with the Government of Canada. The cruises are part of an interagency effort to collect scientific data about the continental shelf and oceanic basins in the Arctic.
The first cruise, August 14 to September 5 from Barrow, Alaska, will employ a sophisticated echo sounder that will collect data to create a three-dimensional map of the Arctic seafloor in an area known as the Chukchi Cap. This cruise is led by the University of New Hampshire’s Joint Hydrographic Center, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [more] [Related - September 2, 2008].

13 June 08
NASA Aircraft Examine Impact of Forest Fires on Arctic Climate
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the summer fire season heats up, NASA aircraft are set to follow the trail of smoke plumes from some of Earth's northernmost forest fires, examining their contribution to arctic pollution and implications for climate change. [More].

14 May 08
U.S. adds Polar Bears to List of Threatened Species
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced that he is accepting the recommendation of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The listing is based on the best available science, which shows that loss of sea ice threatens and will likely continue to threaten polar bear habitat. This loss of habitat puts polar bears at risk of becoming endangered in the foreseeable future, the standard established by the ESA for designating a threatened species. [More].
The proposed ESA special 4(d) rule is available at - http://www.doi.gov/issues/polar_bears.html - for a 60 day public comment period.

08 May 08
Minister Baird and Secretary Kempthorne Hold Bilateral Meeting
OTTAWA — Canada's Minister of the Environment, John Baird, held a bilateral meeting earlier today with U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne. The Minister and Secretary were also joined by the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Mary Simon, as well as a number of officials from both countries.

"Today's bilateral meeting included a number of cross-border issues, including the recent announcement by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) on the status of the polar bear, and other important issues that cross the 49th parallel," said Minister Baird. [More].

Museums Documenting Indigenous Experience On January 30, Dr. Ramiro Matos, Curator for Latin America at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian discussed how museums document the experiences of indigenous peoples. The webcast transcript will be available soon.

	Ambassador Wilkins' Inaugural Visit to the NWT, May 2006
	Former Consul General Naim Ahmed's visit to Yellowknife, March 2006
	Former Consul General Naim Ahmed's visit to Yellowknife and Dettah, March 2005
	Former U.S. Ambassador Cellucci's visit to the Northwest Territories