Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Friday, April 20, 2007

FORT SIMPSON - Despite meeting personally with the commander of the Canadian Forces' Joint Task Force North, Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said the arrival of Operation Narwhal has still been stressful.

Brig.-Gen. Chris Whitecross met with Norwegian during the afternoon on April 16 at the Dehcho First Nations' office. The meeting was arranged by members of the RCMP who acted as mediators, said Norwegian.

The 40 minute conversation was "cordial" and focused on the protocol that activities in the Deh Cho should follow, he said.

"If anything is going to take place in our territory the Dehcho First Nations, being the main body here in the Deh Cho territory, has to be treated like a government and we needed to be informed of any activity that's happening in our backyard," Norwegian said.

Last week Norwegian stated that Dehcho First Nations (DFN) hadn't been consulted and that the exercise wasn't welcomed. He referred to Operation Narwhal as "an exercise of intimidation by Canada on the Dehcho."

The Canadian Forces have maintained that DFN was consulted prior to the exercise starting on April 16. At a press conference in Yellowknife on Monday morning, officials from Joint Task Force North stated the Canadian military did consult with DFN on the exercise.

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

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

Prior to travelling to Fort Simpson Whitecross said she was surprised by the confusion with Norwegian over the consultation.

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

On April 17, Cpt. Bonnie Golbeck, a public affairs officer with Canada Command, clarified the matter.

In December 2006, Canadian Forces planning staff met with members of the Liidlii Kue First Nation (LKFN).

The LKFN office was chosen because they are the leadership in Fort Simpson, said Golbeck.

Canadian Forces staff did meet with some staff at the band office and a number of band councillors, confirmed Chief Keyna Norwegian.

Band councillors didn't have any problems with the exercise being conducted, she said. With the exercise now underway, Keyna Norwegian said she also hasn't heard any concerns from band members.

During his meeting with Whitecross, Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said he clarified the type of consultation that is part of the normal protocol for the Dehcho First Nations.

Consultation should involve submitting an application about an event and then having a face to face discussion about the details, said Norwegian.

An understanding was reached with Whitecross on this matter, said Norwegian.

"There was a level of comfort that was reached," he said.

Other local leaders said they haven't heard any concerns about the exercise.

Marie Lafferty, president of the Fort Simpson Metis Nation said she hasn't received any complaints about the exercise from her members.

The Metis Nation was informed about a few of the details concerning Operation Narwhal through tri-council meetings prior to the exercise, Lafferty said.

The military personnel are welcome in Fort Simpson, said Mayor Duncan Canvin.

"We welcome them with open arms," Canvin said.

Money is being spent locally on catering, logistics and supplies, he said.

"That's part of our duty as a government, to support activities that promote economic development," he said.

The village was consulted during the winter about the exercise. Information about Operation Narwhal was included in the March edition of Voice from the Valley so the number of people arriving in military uniforms wouldn't concern residents, said Canvin.

- with files from Jason Unrau