YELLOWKNIFE - A Canadian Forces exercise began Monday under protest by Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian who vowed "not to be intimidated by soldiers of a government using the threat of terrorism as an excuse to show their flag on our land."

Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, right, meets with Brig.-Gen. Chris Whitecross outside the Dehcho First Nations' office in Fort Simpson on Monday. - photo courtesy of the Dehcho First Nations

Monday morning, officials from Joint Task Force North in Yellowknife downplayed Norwegian's remarks and stated the Canadian military did consult with the DFN on the exercise, involving regular military and Canadian Rangers personnel, that was two years in the making. About 40 soldiers will be based at the Simpson airport and another 250 soldiers will be in Norman Wells to test response to a terrorist attack on oil production facilities.

From April 23-25, soldiers and air force personnel will respond to a mock airplane crash in the Arctic, with operations in Aklavik and Inuvik.

"Part of the planning process was to meet with local authorities (and) we had consultation with the Dehcho First Nation," said Major Marc Beauchemin, adding that the talks also involved Indian and Northern Affairs, the territorial government, and RCMP.

"In our view a lot of pre-planning and discussions with local people happened."

In an April 13 DFN press release, Norwegian said he was not consulted and alleged the exercise was an act of "intimidation" and "gratuitous ignorance" on the part of the Canadian government, which he viewed as intent on protecting an, as yet, unbuilt Mackenzie Gas Pipeline.

"Canada has reneged on a promise to implement our Land Use Plan, and will not negotiate with us in good faith, but they seem to think Fort Simpson is a strategic hub for the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline," the release states.

"We have already informed Canada that the pipeline will not cross our land until we have our Land Use Plan approved."

When Yellowknifer spoke with Grand Chief Norwegian Tuesday, he maintained that he knew nothing of the military exercise before last week.

Norwegian also said the military should have submitted an application to the DFN stating its intentions. A Canadian Forces spokesperson repeated late Tuesday that meetings were held with officials from the Dehcho First Nations during planning of the exercise.

Brig. Gen. Chris Whitecross met with Herb Norwegian Monday afternoon to try to resolve the differences.

"Frankly, I'm a little surprised but I'll take this opportunity to discuss it with him," she said.

Following the meeting between Norwegian, Whitecross, and RCMP officials, DCFN issued a second press release citing a need for "protocols for such exercises worked out in advance on a government-to-government basis."

After the meeting, Herb Norwegian said many of his concerns had been addressed, but that he was still uncomfortable with the exercise taking place.

"We still feel the pressure of Canada, the psychological pressure of their presence on our territory," he said.

- with files from Roxanna Thompson