Accessing healthcare is a challenge for arctic residents when compared to the general populations of the eight nations making up this polar region. These far northern residents face physical difficulties, which include great distances, severe wind and cold, and extremes in light. These conditions can be demanding on the health of those who travel and can be harmful to the injured, ill, or infirm. In order for arctic communities to provide adequate healthcare, there must be a sustainable means of delivering this care at a distance. Telemedicine has been identified as the use of computers, telecommunication, and medical tools that allow physical parameters to be put into an electronic format. Although telemedicine is part of the larger telehealth concept, and is dependent on systems of telecommunication, it also involves tele-education and other distance delivery systems. The services that are needed and are being delivered at a distance are defining these remote arctic cities and villages as the "tele-community." Key contacts from each of the eight Arctic Council member nations and each of its four permanent participant indigenous people's groups provided insights and comments for the development of this report to Ministers.