Red Rock Indian Band calls out feds after discovery of ancestral remains in Nipigon, Ont.

Red Rock Indian Band and surrounding First Nations are calling for accountability from the federal government over its handling of ancestral remains at a construction site in Nipigon, Ont.

The Ojibwe First Nation, located about 120 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, held a protest on Monday morning, where more than 200 people walked along the TransCanada Highway to the Nipigon River Bridge, briefly stopping traffic. 

In May, Parks Canada began excavation at the Nipigon Marina, where a new administration and visitor centre is being built for the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area.

During construction, the remains of four Indigenous ancestors were uncovered. Carbon dating on the first set of remains showed they were buried in approximately 1404 AD, according to Red Rock Indian Band.

"That's pre-contact," said Chief Allan Odawa Jr. "We've been here since the beginning of time. Our ancestors protected the land, and now it's our turn to protect our ancestors for future generations."

Red Rock Indian Band believes the site could be an ancient burial ground and other remains may be under the dirt. Construction has stopped while more investigation takes place. But the Band wants more accountability from the government.

During the protest, there was a heavy police presence from Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers. Odawa Jr. said he negotiated with members of the OPP's provincial liaison team to allow highway traffic to be slowed in two locations from about 10:30 a.m. until noon:

Odawa Jr. says Red Rock Indian Band has control over the soil that was disturbed during the excavation, and that it's under 24/7 surveillance. Over the next two to three weeks, the soil will be screened, and the community will be able to determine whether they have all four ancestors' remains.

"Hopefully, what we get out of this is that it never happens again," Odawa Jr. said.

Construction on the centre halted as soon as the ancestral remains were discovered, Parks Canada said in a statement issued Monday.

"Parks Canada understands that the uncovering of remains could be triggering for community members, and has made every effort to act with the utmost caution and respect. After the first chance finding, which turned out to be an animal bone, Parks Canada worked with Red Rock Indian Band to hire an environmental monitor from their community for the remainder of the excavation and project," it says.

The federal department said it's been working with Red Rock Indian Band – which has taken the lead on much of the archeological work related to the remains – and respects the community's right to peaceful protest.

"Further progress has been made in the past week, and Parks Canada remains committed to resuming open and sincere discussions with Red Rock Indian Band when they are ready.

"It is our hope to reach a mutually agreeable understanding and path forward," the statement says.