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The site of the burial pit, still farmed on by Sheridan Nurseries. The buried remains of over 300 Huron Indigenous people lay unacknowledged underneath the actively used Sheridan Nurseries lot, busy farm equipment rolling over daily.
Following release of the article “The Forgotten 300 Huron Indigenous Remains Discovered in Glen Williams,” local Andrew Macdonald reached out. He had been an adolescent present at the time of the dig in 1968, alongside friend Jim Colter. Dr. Howard Savage (1913-1997) led the dig, getting the boys to help out. Using toothbrushes and paper bags, they collected samples to be sent for analysis. Aside from select samples collected and shipped away, most of the bones (the central mass from the burial pit) remained on site, and were recovered and the excavation filled in. Surprisingly, that is where the story of the site ends, at least in the eyes of the town and property owners. Sheridan Nurseries recovered the land and went back to farming it, how it remains today. Unacknowledged. Forgotten.
When in contact with the Town of Halton Hills, they claimed the remains were repatriated to relevant First Nations groups. While optimistically this could be the case for collected samples, the Town’s claims vastly go against eyewitness accounts. The Bruce Trail backs on to Sheridan Nurseries property, connected by a small passage through the brush. Just before is a tree bearing a sign indicating the passage of the trail. How can the town find signage to acknowledge a walking trail but not over 300 remains buried in a culturally significant ceremony to the land? As well as the history of Halton Hills! In the time of Truth and Reconciliation!
Andrew MacDonald (left) and Jim Colter (right) stand near the location of the burial pit on Sheridan Nurseries land. Colter returns to the site for the first time since the day of the dig in 1968.
On a more positive note, locals Andrew MacDonald and Jim Colter have taken great care in preserving the history of the site. Being just kids at the time of the dig, they are likely some of the last remaining people able to communicate firsthand experience and knowledge of the site. MacDonald saw the first article published about the subject and kindly reached out, offering invaluable knowledge on the subject. The site has stuck with him over the years, spreading tobacco leaf respectfully upon arrival, and once bringing a Shaman to the site to perform a ceremony. MacDonald kindly offered to show the location of the original site, more exact than the original estimate offered. Without their help, the story and location of the Glen Williams Ossuary may have been lost to time. While it is disappointing the land is still farmed on, at least the bones remain buried where they should be. Optimistically the site could be made into a memorial, at minimum a sign recognizing the land. Andrew MacDonald along with Jim Colter tell the history of the site beyond the reports and paperwork as only eyewitnesses in the community could. It is important to document such history of the area and communicate it to further generations and have it accessible. The history of Glen Williams and Halton Hills as a whole dates back a lot farther than when Europeans founded a little town, and it’s about time people start realizing it.
NOTE: This is a follow-up article. To view the original piece outlining the facts and history visit https://9inebuzz.wixsite.com/9inebuzz/post/the-forgotten-300-huron-indigenous-remains-discovered-in-glen-williams
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