UFOs / Canada sightings / Northwest Territories
UFO sightings in Northwest Territories
94 UFO reports from Northwest Territories since 1990. 6 were never explained.
- 94 reports
- 6 unexplained
- 32 towns
- 1996 busiest year
UnexplainedNot enough informationPossibly explainedExplained
How the reports were rated
- 6% unexplained
- 39% possibly explained
- 50% not enough information
- 4% explained
What people saw
Reports by year
Unexplained cases worth reading
- Mar 12, 1996 23:00Trout LakeUnexplained
Close encounter, traces left · 2 witnesses · 45 min
2 object, approximately 30m in diameter, 1 on ground, 1 hovering; later, 2 rectangular
- Oct 11, 1998 22:00YellowknifeUnexplained
Object at night · 2 sec
Observed large silent object fly overhead. Smaller lights seen as well. See 98/10/12
- Jan 4, 1996 18:40Buffalo River VillageUnexplained
Light at night · blue · 1 witness · 15 min
Hovering, flashing light; departed straight up, very fast. Red streak
- Jul 27, 2013 02:00Fort ProvidenceUnexplained
Light at night · multicoloured, point of light · 1 witness
Single light moving up and down the river, hovering, flashing red, blue,white
- Feb 22, 1997AklavikUnexplained
Object at night · silver, disc · 5 witnesses · 15 min
Objects with rows of windows followed witnesses
- Feb 23, 1996 20:00YellowknifeUnexplained
Light at night · multicoloured, point of light · 1 witness · 30 min
Row of lights rotating clockwise, over NWT legisature; phones went dead
Towns
- Fort Resolution 21
- Resolute Bay 17
- Yellowknife 8
- Trout Lake 5
- Fort Providence 3
- Eureka 3
- Fort McPherson 3
- Aklavik 2
- Fort Smith 2
- Deline 2
- Fort Simpson 2
- Frobisher Bay 2
- Tuktoyaktuk 1
- Tsiigehtchic 1
- Norman Wells 1
- Arctic Red River 1
- Sachs Harbour 1
- Iqaluit 1
- Nahanni Butte 1
- Hay River 1
- Round Island 1
- Resolution Bay 1
- Buffalo River Village 1
- Great Slave Lake 1
- Little Buffalo River 1
- Clyde River 1
- Nottingham Island 1
- Victoria Island 1
- Inuvik 1
- Spence Bay 1
- Coppermine 1
- Cape Dorset 1
Latest reports from Northwest Territories
The 94 most recent. Every report is on the map above, and each town in the list has its own page.
- Feb 17, 2023 07:10AklavikPossibly explained
Light at night · point of light · 1 sec
CADORS 2023C0783: ATC reported string of lights "about a mile long" going
- Jan 29, 2023 23:15YellowknifePossibly explained
Light at night · white, point of light · 1 witness
CADORS 2023C0560: 2 lights moving "in circular pattern" NW of aircraft, no
- May 15, 2021 23:45Trout Lake
Light at night · white, point of light · 1 witness
- Jul 19, 2020 19:00Fort SmithNot enough information
Light at night · point of light · 1 sec
UFO high in sky, went higher, shut lights on and off
- Jul 12, 2019Place not givenNot enough information
Unusual event
Photos: photos of rock formations
Placed in the middle of the province: the town was not found.
- Jul 27, 2013 02:00Fort ProvidenceUnexplained
Light at night · multicoloured, point of light · 1 witness
Single light moving up and down the river, hovering, flashing red, blue,white
- May 18, 2013 00:01Fort ProvidencePossibly explained
Light at night · yellow, point of light · 1 witness
Bright yellow light in sky (video)
- Sep 6, 2011 23:00DelineExplained
Object at night · multicoloured, irregular · 4 witnesses · 120 min
RCMP & others saw intense light display [aurorae]
- Jan 13, 2009 21:00TuktoyaktukPossibly explained
Light at night · multicoloured, point of light · 1 witness · 25 min
Red/blue/yellow light in sky for 25 minutes
- Jan 13, 2009 19:00TsiigehtchicPossibly explained
Light at night · multicoloured, point of light · 1 witness
Stationary light sits over hill all the time flashes red/green
- Dec 31, 2007 23:00YellowknifePossibly explained
Light at night · multicoloured, point of light · 1 witness
Light moving erratically in sky
- Nov 2, 2007 05:00DelinePossibly explained
Light at night · point of light · 7 witnesses · 60 min
Starlike object stationary low to horizon
- Mar 14, 2007 23:00Norman WellsExplained
Light at night · multicoloured, point of light · 10 witnesses · 120 min
RCMP reported stationary light low in SW, flashing colours
- Jan 20, 2007Arctic Red RiverNot enough information
Light at night · red, irregular
Bright light bathed entire town in red
- Jan 18, 2007 15:20Arctic OceanPossibly explained
Object at night · fireball · 2 witnesses · 1 sec
Flaming ball "dropping wreckage" passed plane, dropped into clouds
Placed in the middle of the province: the town was not found.
- Jan 8, 2007 14:00Sachs HarbourPossibly explained
Object at night · orange, fireball · 6 witnesses · 5 min
Slow-moving bullet-shaped object with trail of debris
- Aug 12, 2006 01:00Fort ResolutionExplained
Light at night · multicoloured, point of light · 2 witnesses · 20 min
Light seen dancing. Likely star Capella
- Feb 9, 2005 19:30IqaluitPossibly explained
Light at night · orange, point of light · 5 witnesses · 10 min
Object with "unaircraft like" behaviour, going E-N, suddenly disappeared
- Apr 2, 2004Nahanni ButteNot enough information
Object by day · point of light · 2 witnesses · 15 min
Lights floating over trees, rocks thrown at them
- Mar 25, 2003 23:35Place not givenNot enough information
Light at night · multicoloured, point of light · 1 witness · 10 min
Video of "glowing orb" darting about in night sky
Placed in the middle of the province: the town was not found.
- Oct 12, 1998 21:00YellowknifeNot enough information
Object at night · 1 sec
Observed large object fly overhead. No sound
- Oct 11, 1998 22:00YellowknifeUnexplained
Object at night · 2 sec
Observed large silent object fly overhead. Smaller lights seen as well. See 98/10/12
- Dec 31, 1997 02:10Resolute BayNot enough information
Light at night · white, point of light · 1 witness
Airline manager saw bright light going N at est. 400 mph; 400 feet high?
- Dec 30, 1997 06:05EurekaNot enough information
Light at night · white, point of light · 2 witnesses · 10 sec
Object recorded on auroral camera by scientist and tech; bright as Venus?
- Dec 27, 1997 05:54Resolute BayPossibly explained
Light at night · white, point of light · 1 witness · 10 sec
Several objects, moving higher, bearing 360-030; satellites?
- Dec 27, 1997 05:35Resolute BayPossibly explained
Light at night · white, point of light · 1 witness · 20 sec
Az. 356, alt. 21; bright object in Andromeda, moving E, fading slowly
- Dec 27, 1997 04:30Resolute BayNot enough information
Light at night · point of light · 2 sec
"strong light appeared in Andromeda"; photo taken; satellites later appeared?
- Dec 26, 1997 05:50Resolute BayNot enough information
Light at night · white, point of light · 2 witnesses · 10 sec
Mag. 6; "2 sightings, 1st brighter than 2nd"; "2nd appeared to pivot"
- Dec 25, 1997 06:20Resolute BayNot enough information
Light at night · white, point of light · 6 witnesses · 15 sec
Mag. 6; "2 events in sequence"; in Andromeda; hunter and 5 children
- Dec 24, 1997 19:22EurekaNot enough information
Light at night · white, point of light · 2 witnesses · 37 sec
Object recorded on auroral camera by scientist and tech; bright as Moon?
- Dec 21, 1997 13:35Resolute BayNot enough information
Light at night · white, point of light · 2 witnesses · 10 sec
Mag. 6; "a degree or two to left of previous sighting"; same hunters
- Dec 21, 1997 13:30Resolute BayNot enough information
Light at night · white, point of light · 2 witnesses · 10 sec
Mag. 6; "in general direction of UMa"; seen by two hunters
- Dec 19, 1997 08:21EurekaNot enough information
Light at night · white, point of light · 7 min
Object recorded on auroral camera; no visual witness; bright as Venus?
- Dec 18, 1997 16:49Resolute BayNot enough information
Light at night · blue, point of light · 3 witnesses
Light in UMaj; sphere came out of it; flash?; object below 4000 feet?
- Dec 18, 1997Place not givenNot enough information
Object at night · green, ball · 2 witnesses
Frightened hunters saw ball of light (600 ft high?) heading for them
Placed in the middle of the province: the town was not found.
- Dec 9, 1997 16:25Resolute BayPossibly explained
Light at night · white, point of light · 1 witness · 8 sec
Mag. 6; "between UMa & Bootes"; az. 298, alt. 036
- December 1997Resolute BayNot enough information
Light at night · point of light · 1 sec
Light appeared in Ursa Major
- Nov 25, 1997 17:00Resolute BayPossibly explained
Light at night · white, point of light · 1 witness · 5 sec
Mag. 4; in Aquila; az. 202, alt. 017
- Nov 24, 1997 17:00Resolute BayPossibly explained
Light at night · white, point of light · 1 witness · 5 sec
Mag. 4; "lower than 2252Z observation", in Aquila
- Nov 24, 1997 16:55Resolute BayPossibly explained
Light at night · white, point of light · 1 witness · 7 sec
Mag. 6; "near Altair" in Aquila
- Nov 24, 1997 16:52Resolute BayPossibly explained
Light at night · white, point of light · 1 witness · 10 sec
Mag. 4; "between Tarazeb and Deneb al Okab" in Aquila
- November 1997 15:30Resolute BayNot enough information
Light at night · point of light · 1 sec
3 lights in Aquila; looked like star but grew in brightness then fade & disappear
- November 1997 06:30Resolute BayNot enough information
Light at night · point of light · 2 sec
Witnesses driving to work saw a light
- Feb 22, 1997AklavikUnexplained
Object at night · silver, disc · 5 witnesses · 15 min
Objects with rows of windows followed witnesses
- April 1996Yellowknife
Light at night · multicoloured · 2 witnesses
- Mar 12, 1996 23:00Trout LakeUnexplained
Close encounter, traces left · 2 witnesses · 45 min
2 object, approximately 30m in diameter, 1 on ground, 1 hovering; later, 2 rectangular
- Mar 4, 1996Trout LakeNot enough information
Object at night · 2 sec
Details sketchy
- Feb 25, 1996 22:30Trout LakeNot enough information
Object at night · disc · 20 sec
- Feb 24, 1996 22:30Trout LakeNot enough information
Object at night · disc · 20 sec
"Flying saucer" observed, approx, 1500 yards from witnesses. Pictures taken.
- Feb 23, 1996 20:00YellowknifeUnexplained
Light at night · multicoloured, point of light · 1 witness · 30 min
Row of lights rotating clockwise, over NWT legisature; phones went dead
- Feb 16, 1996 20:00YellowknifeNot enough information
Light at night · multicoloured · 1 witness · 30 min
Witness observed craft with row of rotating lights
- Jan 29, 1996Fort McPhersonNot enough information
Light at night · 1 witness
Witness, driving outside of town, observed strange light, returned home,
- Jan 28, 1996Fort McPhersonNot enough information
Light at night · multicoloured · 20 witnesses · 60 min
"Nearly" 30 observed strange lights. Observation concluded with lights
- Jan 17, 1996 20:10Hay RiverPossibly explained
Light at night · white · 1 witness
White light with red trail; descending; steep angle; emergency flare? Airport
- Jan 14, 1996 17:00Fort ResolutionPossibly explained
Light at night · multicoloured · 1 witness · 145 min
Witness mayor of Fort Resolution. Possibly astronomical.
- Jan 14, 1996 16:40Fort ResolutionPossibly explained
Light at night · multicoloured · 1 witness · 170 min
Probable planet.
- Jan 13, 1996Fort ResolutionPossibly explained
Light at night · multicoloured · 1 witness · 170 min
Witness, a Mountie, observed what he felt was probably a planet
- Jan 7, 1996 17:30Fort ResolutionNot enough information
Light at night · multicoloured
Seen sometime between hours of 17:30 and 19:00
- Jan 6, 1996 17:30Fort ResolutionNot enough information
Light at night · 1 witness
Three-minute video taken sometime between 17:30 and 19:00.
- Jan 5, 1996 21:30Fort ResolutionNot enough information
Light at night · multicoloured · 1 witness
Repeater witness
- Jan 5, 1996 19:00Fort ResolutionNot enough information
Light at night · 1 witness
Flashing object seen, appeared to be on frozen lake
- Jan 5, 1996 19:00Fort ResolutionNot enough information
Light at night · multicoloured · 1 witness
Light seen to change altitude
- Jan 5, 1996 19:00Fort ResolutionPossibly explained
Light at night · 1 witness
Possible star?
- Jan 5, 1996 18:40Fort ResolutionPossibly explained
Light at night · 20 witnesses · 30 min
- Jan 5, 1996 18:30Fort ResolutionPossibly explained
Light at night · multicoloured · 1 witness
Witness observed stationary light. Thought it landed on lake.
- Jan 5, 1996 18:30Round IslandPossibly explained
Light at night · red · 1 witness
Object thought to be over Resolution Bay
- Jan 5, 1996 18:10Fort ResolutionNot enough information
Light at night · red · 20 witnesses
Work crew 54 mi from Fort Res; stationary light changing colours; turned on
- Jan 5, 1996 17:00Fort ResolutionPossibly explained
Light at night · 1 witness
Possible star?
- Jan 4, 1996 19:00Fort ResolutionPossibly explained
Light at night · multicoloured · 2 witnesses
Flashing object seen over lake
- Jan 4, 1996 19:00Resolution BayPossibly explained
Light at night · red · 1 witness · 30 min
Near Round Island, witness observed light changing colours-lasted for half an
- Jan 4, 1996 18:40Buffalo River VillageUnexplained
Light at night · blue · 1 witness · 15 min
Hovering, flashing light; departed straight up, very fast. Red streak
- Jan 4, 1996 18:20Fort ResolutionPossibly explained
Light at night · red · 1 witness
Witness observed light through binoculars
- Jan 4, 1996 18:15Fort ResolutionPossibly explained
Light at night · multicoloured · 1 witness · 5 min
Witness observed bright stationary light approximately 20-25 km to the
- Jan 4, 1996 18:10Great Slave LakeNot enough information
Light at night · multicoloured, point of light · 1 witness
Light hovered until witness flashed headlights; Light reportedly seen every
- Jan 4, 1996 18:00Little Buffalo RiverNot enough information
Light at night · white · 2 witnesses · 60 min
- Jan 4, 1996 17:30Fort ResolutionPossibly explained
Light at night · red · 2 witnesses · 60 min
Witnesses observe light above lake which got dimmer with time. Videotaped.
- Jan 4, 1996 17:30Fort ResolutionPossibly explained
Light at night · point of light · 2 sec
Possible star?
- Jan 4, 1996 16:30Fort Resolution
Light at night · multicoloured, point of light · 2 witnesses
- January 1996Fort ResolutionNot enough information
Object at night · square · 2 sec
Trappers chased by 2 object; one square, other with wing-like protrusions
- Nov 13, 1995 17:00Fort SimpsonNot enough information
Light at night · red · 2 witnesses · 90 sec
Hovering light changed color then sped away, leaving trail of light
- Oct 15, 1995 14:30YellowknifeNot enough information
Object by day · gold, square · 1 witness
Square object moved slowly over witness; humming noise
- Jul 27, 1995 22:00Clyde River
Object by day · white, square · 1 witness
- Feb 3, 1995 23:02Nottingham Island
Light at night · 2 witnesses · 1 sec
- Jun 16, 1994 20:21Frobisher Bay
Light at night · orange, fireball · 1 witness · 4 sec
- Jan 23, 1994 21:45Victoria IslandExplained
Object at night · white · 1 witness
Pilot saw "steady shooting rocket"; lit up inside of plane, cast shadows
- Jan 10, 1994 18:10InuvikPossibly explained
Light at night · blue · 1 witness · 5 sec
Large circle with noticeable disturbance in the air behind it"; NRC files
- Dec 29, 1993 22:30Spence BayPossibly explained
Light at night · orange, fireball · 2 witnesses · 1 sec
Nrc163
- Dec 20, 1993Frobisher BayNot enough information
Light at night · fireball · 1 sec
Nrc162
- Nov 28, 1993 21:53CoppermineNot enough information
Light at night · fireball · 1 sec
Nrc149
- Nov 10, 1993 17:48Fort ProvidenceNot enough information
Light at night · fireball · 1 sec
Nrc134
- Jan 25, 1993 21:08Cape DorsetPossibly explained
Object at night · blue, fireball · 2 witnesses · 4 sec
Nrc009
- Apr 26, 1992 00:10Fort SmithPossibly explained
Light at night · blue · 5 sec
Nrc n92/26; probable bolide
- Apr 30, 1990 02:55Fort SimpsonPossibly explained
Light at night · fireball · 1 witness · 1 sec
Probable fireball?
- Feb 8, 1990 10:00Fort McPhersonNot enough information
Light at night · orange, point of light · 1 witness
RCMP report of bright lights
No report matches.
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About this data
These reports come from the Canadian UFO Survey, compiled each year since 1989 by Ufology Research of Winnipeg. Each year the survey gathers sightings sent to police, airports, the military, researchers and UFO groups across the country, and rates each one. We left out every report the survey received from MUFON, NUFORC or Enigma Labs, so the totals here are lower than in the survey itself.
The ratings are the survey's: explained means a likely cause was found (a plane, a planet, a satellite re-entry), possibly explained means there's a good guess, and unexplained means the investigators couldn't find one. Notes are short summaries, lightly tidied. Most places are the nearest town, not the exact spot.
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