A high-resolution spectrum of the interstellar Na D lines toward We 21 shows a total velocity extent of about 95 km/s, extending from -65 to +30 km/s in the LSR velocity frame. In this line-of-sight the positive velocities can arise only from beyond the solar circle, and this suggests that We 21 lies in the far part of the Carina spiral arm, at a distance of about 11.5 kpc. Contrary to the conclusions of Duerbeck and Reipurth (1990), We 21 appears to be a massive Population I WN8 star surrounded by a stellar ejecta bubble, and not a PN central star
