Williams lake First Nation will work with Janda Group to ensure personnel is present to oversee excavation work taking place this fall at Boitanio Mall.
WLFN says it was discovered that the building and associated infrastructure were located on an archaeological site containing pit houses, cache pits, and a large number of human burials during the initial construction of the mall in 1974.
They say approximately 13 disarticulated human skeletons were unearthed and transported via truck to what is now the A&W.
There WLFN says those human remains were discarded and pushed over the embankment without the involvement of Williams Lake First Nation or other First Nation communities.
On Tuesday, ground-disturbing excavation for the Boitanio Mall renovation is scheduled to start.
Williams Lake First Nation will hold a ceremony to honor the ancestors that were disturbed as part of the original Mall construction prior to the start of the groundworks.
The ceremony will be held Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 10 am in the Staples parking lot at the Boitanio Mall.
Representatives from WLFN, Sugar Cane Archaeology, and Archer Cultural Resource Management Group will be collaborating with the general contractor to ensure the ground works are conducted in compliance with BC law and in a considerate and culturally appropriate manner.