Human remains discovered in Brantford

CTV Kitchener: Human bones discovered A Brantford contractor working on Birkett Lane has come across Human bones. Matthew Kang with more on the discovery.

A contractor working at a home on Birkett lane has come across human bones over a century old. Given the history of the area, first nations groups believe the remains belong to one of their own.

Police say the remains were found yesterday and after calling in experts they have determined they did not have a criminal investigation on their hands.

Leslie Neudert was digging holes for the posts backyard fence building project when she came across the remains. “I started finding vertebrates first… then ribs... and then I found this jaw bone” says Neudert.

He and a friend alerted the police and after an investigation, a coroner and anthropologist determined the bones were human and over 100 years old.

Ruby Montour an elder of the Turtle clan says it’s clear they belong to one of her ancestors.

“We would like to explore it more...and see if we can identify the person that's in this grave” says Montour.

This latest discovery raises another concern as the Onkwehonweh people say there were three residential schools in this area and children from those schools were buried. The problem is they don't exactly know where.

Jason Bowman a special assistant with the Mohawk workers says this painting is what the area may have looked like in the early 1800's. He says the Mohawk workers and other first nations groups will be looking to see what position the province takes going forward.

“This is certainly significant because this is the first time there have been remains found close to the school however at this stage no one can determine whether they're related or not.” says Bowman

The homeowners their construction project is on hold until the investigation is concluded.