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Arctic Yearbook 2013
The Importance of Private & Public Sector Engagement in the Arctic
collaboration with local inhabitants, and urge that the findings are shared within those
communities. As conversations about the Arctic continue, the PNWER Arctic Caucus is a
framework for lasting dialogue that develops a shared, cross-jurisdictional voice.
It is important to look at the Arctic as a place where people live and work, rather than only as a
place for study and research. As the Canadian government leads the Arctic Council, PNWER will
work with its jurisdictions to ensure the interests of the local people are presented. The PNWER
Arctic Caucus will also continue to be a voice for the region‘s needs to our federal partners in both
countries. As the U.S. federal government implements and develops a policy for the Arctic, it must
formally engage people in Alaska and learn from the best practices that the Canadian federal
government has implemented in close partnership with its northern territorial governments and their
Aboriginal communities.
PNWER Background
The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is a public/private non-profit created by statute in 1991
by the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington, the Canadian provinces and territories of
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Yukon. PNWER‘s mission is to
increase the economic well-being and quality of life for all citizens of the region; coordinate provincial and
state policies throughout the region; identify and promote ―models of success‖; and serve as a conduit to
exchange information.
The PNWER Arctic Caucus Forum was initially formed as a group to focus on Arctic issues within PNWER.
After meeting at the 2009 PNWER Economic Leadership Forum in Regina, Saskatchewan and the 2010
Annual Summit in Calgary, Alberta, the group decided to meet at the Annual Summit each year, as well as
hold an annual Arctic Caucus Forum in the North. The first official Arctic Caucus Forum was held in
December 2010 in Barrow, Alaska. The Caucus is made up of public and private sector PNWER members
from Alaska, the Northwest Territories, and Yukon.
Since 2010 the Caucus has held meetings in Yellowknife, Whitehorse, and Anchorage, along with two
meetings in Washington, D.C. with federal Arctic officials and congressional members.