Huron-Wendat Ancestors Dug Up and Desecrated in Barrie, Ontario (Wendake South): Reaction from Grand Chef Konrad Sioui, Huron-Wendat Nation Français
WENDAKE, QC, March 11, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Following the publication of the APTN's story on the burial sites and the discovery of remains of Huron-Wendat ancestors which have been dug up, disturbed, and entirely desecrated, likely with the knowledge of certain municipal and government authorities, on the Allandale Station site in the city of Barrie, Ontario (Wendake South), the Grand Chief of the Huron-Wendat Nation, Mr. Konrad Sioui, has declared that this situation is unacceptable and is being taken very seriously. The Grand Chief has asked the concerned authorities to take immediate steps to address these serious breaches and find satisfactory solutions in these circumstances, in accordance with their obligations to the Nation and in respect for the Huron-Wendat ancestors. The Huron-Wendat Nation has also formally requested that an independent investigation be urgently set up in order to shed light on the issue.
"We deeply lament this immense desecration of our ancestors. The Allandale Station site and the burial grounds that are found there are sacred and must be protected. Huron-Wendat human remains must never be disturbed, under any circumstances. The Huron-Wendat Nation reminds the concerned authorities that they have legal obligations, including constitutional duties to our Nation, which have been completely ignored. These transgressions must be corrected. We are outraged to see that this situation seems to have gone on for years, all without our knowledge. Both in the Wendake North (the Nionwentsïo, including the Saint Lawrence Valley in Quebec), in the Wendake South (the Great Lakes of Ontario, Erie and Huron), we have been faced with many situations where the remains of our ancestors have been unearthed, examined, studied, unilaterally appropriated or simply disposed of like garbage. As in all such cases, this situation is unacceptable to us", said Grand Chief Sioui.
In June 2015, the Huron-Wendat Nation's band council adopted a resolution to establish a clear position regarding the protection and preservation of its ancestral heritage. "We will continue to fight for the protection of our history and against the destruction of our heritage and ancestors both in Quebec and in Ontario. These are our ancestors and we will take all the necessary measures to restore their dignity so that they may rest in peace", concluded the Grand Chief.
SOURCE COUNCIL OF THE HURON-WENDAT NATION
Tina Durand, (418) 843-3767, [email protected]
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