Exhibit (l)(22)

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     Northern Funds (the "Trust"), a Delaware statutory trust, and Eric K.
Schweitzer (the "Purchaser"), hereby agree as follows:

     1. The Trust hereby offers the Purchaser and the Purchaser hereby purchases
ten shares of the Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the "Emerging Markets Equity
Shares") for $10.00 per share. The Trust hereby acknowledges receipt from the
Purchaser of funds in full payment for the Emerging Markets Equity Shares
shares.

     2. The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Trust that the Emerging
Markets Equity Shares are being acquired for investment purposes and not with a
view to the distribution thereof.

     IN AGREEMENT WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties
hereto have executed this Agreement as of February 17, 2006.

                                        NORTHERN FUNDS


                                        By: /s/ Lloyd A. Wennlund
                                            ------------------------------------


                                        ERIC K. SCHWEITZER


                                        By: /s/ Eric K. Schweitzer
                                            ------------------------------------