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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Prime Minister Stephen Harper will visit the NWT later this month.

During an Aug. 26-28 trip, Harper will make stops in Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk and Dawson City, Yukon. The promotion of Arctic sovereignty is one purpose of the trip.

"Arctic sovereignty is a foundation piece of our agenda," said Carolyn Stewart-Olsen, the prime minister's press secretary. "We raised this in opposition and were ahead of the curve as we recognized the geopolitical significance of the North. We will assert and defend our national interest."

In Inuvik, Harper will chair a meeting of his cabinet's Policy and Procedure Committee, which will meet in the North for the first time.

"A lot of our cabinet members are coming up," said Stewart-Olsen, although she noted it won't be a full cabinet meeting.

The press secretary added the visit will also include some announcements, although she declined to provide specifics.

"But they're good announcements," she said.

Sara Brown, senior administrative officer with the Town of Inuvik, said details of the prime minister's trip to the community have not yet been worked out.

No activities have yet been planned in Tuktoyaktuk, but Mayor Merven Gruben expects a drum dance and community feast will welcome Harper.

"Obviously, we're going to do the best welcome we can," Gruben said.

The mayor said Harper's stop in Tuktoyaktuk will allow him to see the isolation and requirements of the community, especially the need for improved infrastructure and a year-round road connection.

Gruben also speculated on the purpose of the visit.

"Maybe there's an election coming up. You never know."