Ancestors' bones returned to 'extinct' First Nation

The RCMP have turned over human remains to a Kootenay First Nation that was declared extinct by the Department of Indian Affairs nearly 50 years ago.

Last month, hikers found the bones of two people washed up on the shores of the Arrow Lakes, near a traditional burial ground of the Sinixt First Nation.

• LINK: Sinixt First Nation

Because of Ottawa's extinction decision, provincial government officials told the RCMP to contact two neighbouring First Nations to see if they wanted the remains.

But Marilyn James, the appointed spokesperson for the Sinixt, or Arrow Lakes, Indians, stepped forward and contacted the RCMP to claim the bones instead.

"Because of our distinction of extinction, it's very hard for people to officially make contact with us," said James, who estimates there are still 6,800 Sinixt descendants alive in British Columbia and Washington state.

The Castlegar RCMP released the bones to James last week.

• INDEPTH: Aboriginal Canadians

"This may sound a little heebee-jeebee, but you can tell when bones are happy and certainly these remains weren't happy," she said.

James says the bones will be reburied, in a repatriation ceremony in Vallican.