Clearing work on a Cawston orchard unearthed what is believed to be a native burial site.
(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)
September 11, 2017 - 5:37 PM
The Lower Similkameen Indian Band says the change in provincial government and a ministerial order from the Ministry of Lands is allowing them to recover ancestral remains from private property in the Cawston area.
In a press release, the band announced a technical recovery team had begun removing desecrated remains under the supervision of band members and police.
The band says the burial ground was desecrated in February, 2016 and it had not been given the necessary access, recovering 500 exposed remains during a temporary access permit issued by the previous provincial Liberal government, but leaving more behind.
Band Chief Keith Crow said a meeting with Minister Doug Donaldson and indigenous relations minister Scott Fraser gave the band the legal support it needed to complete the recovery and reburial process.
The band says the ministerial order was granted under the Heritage Conservation Act.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017