The Story of the Unmarked Indigenous Graves in Halton Hills, Halton’s Bureaucrats Not Concerned.

The thin red book did not stand out at first. In fact, it did not stand out at all. The book is relatively insignificant, aside from a few sentences. A small brick in the small wall that is the Halton Hills Library community history section. An unrelated research mission happened to intersect my journey with that of the thin red book, and thus is where our story begins. While flipping through, a picture caught my eye. It shows a group of Indigenous youth outside a structure alongside white adults. The caption describes it as Indian youth brought to Halton to help with farming. It dates from the 60’s; describing an eerily similar situation to the 60’s scoop. This caught my eye, as the book dates from far before Truth and Reconciliation. Further reading led to another discovery, a reference to a “Glen Williams Ossuary.” An Ossuary is a mass burial site, and I knew nothing of the sort in Glen Williams. The thin red book mentions the Glen Williams Ossuary casually, as if it is common knowledge, and can be easily referenced elsewhere. With that in mind, I took my research online, figuring more could be found there. Shockingly, this was barely true. After a full day of digging, I was able to produce just three sources. A newspaper detailing the discovery in 1968, and reports written by dig leader Dr. Howard Savage from 1971 and 1973. None detail the exact site, and shockingly it remains unacknowledged.

Since European settlement, everything in Halton has been focused on the future. Growing. Building a bigger community and stepping forward with every stride. Not much stock has been put into reflecting on the past, especially before European settlement. As is the case with all of Canada, the history of Halton Hills begins long before Europeans built some little log cabins. Settlement of Halton by Europeans began in the 1820’s, however the Glen Williams Ossuary dates to the 14th century. Perhaps but a few things occurred between the 13th and 19th century in Halton. According to the dated

History books representing Halton’s history, nothing happened here until some dinky little cabins were built by Europeans.

So, I wrote. Scouring every available source I pieced together the story of what happened, but still, no exact site. Sheridan Nurseries employees routinely planting new maple stock made an anomalous discovery in November of 1967. Several human bones appeared in the Glen Williams soil beneath the roots of young trees, prompting a lengthy investigation. By early 1968 the area was sectioned off, and divided into 1 meter squares across an approximately 14 meter site. Further digging revealed a central mass of bones, comprising of “a minimum of 290 individuals.” As well as bones, “hundreds of vertical, cylindrical (poles) were found in the surrounding soil.” Scattered across the lot were single and double burials, raising the total to “a minimum of 309 individuals.” Excavations took place until 1969, when small bone samples in paper bags were transported for research at the University of Toronto, which dated them to the 14th century. The only other artifacts found at the site were 2 small circular beads, likely Wampum (small beads made from shells, used in belts for diplomacy, ceremony, and commerce), which would not have been understood at the time. It was, however, understood that burial practices like the one found were commonplace by Huron Indigenous peoples, who inhabited the land prior to European contact.

I contacted the Town of Halton Hills about the site, figuring they housed more information. I was wrong. Actually, I was deceived. I spoke to an employee who's only source was the same 1968 copy of the Georgetown Herald I too had in front of me. She told me that the remains had all been repatriated to relevant First Nations groups, and assured me the site was abandoned and no longer in use. Given no evidence of such a transaction exists, (typically a ceremony will be held in returning remains) I was skeptical. Why should I believe a bureaucrat most likely trying to avoid working a real day’s work as a civil servant? The closest description I had to the site was it being abandoned, in the woods behind Sheridan Nurseries, and overlooking the Credit River Valley “100 feet below.” With that, I set off. The Bruce Trail runs just behind Sheridan Nurseries along the woodline, marking the trail for my expedition. Using the contextual clues, I found a site I thought to be most likely, and took a picture for my article. With that, my article was complete, and released to my website.

“Moeurs des sauvages amériquains II” (Manners of the American Savages 2, 1924) depicts a Huron Feast of the Dead Ceremony, the type done in Glen Williams. It was drawn by French Missionary Joseph-François Lafitau, and as the title shows is heavily biased, exaggerating many aspects of the ceremony.

The article quickly gained traction, amassing over one thousand views. It made its rounds in Facebook groups, Twitter feeds, and Instagram stories, reaching thousands more. In its circulation it reached a man who grew up in Glen Williams, Andrew MacDonald, who reached out. He and his friend Jim Colter were just kids at the time of the dig, and actually spoke with and helped Dr. Savage (1913-1997). Being the only kids at the site in 1968, they are likely the only surviving witnesses and hold invaluable information. They graciously offered to show me where the dig had taken place, and share stories from that day. I graciously accepted. A short trek up the Bruce Trail reveals a small opening in the trees connecting it to Sheridan Nurseries property. The sole identifier of a 300 person burial site. Walking through the clearing, they take me past one row of trees, agreeing that this is where the dig took place. Still on actively used Sheridan Nurseries land, tarps and trees planted overtop, heavy farm equipment steaming over daily. I knew the bureaucrats lied to me! Andrew respectfully brought some tobacco leaf to spread on the site, it’s clear he’s taken care to remember the site over the years. He tells me about a ceremony that was performed by a Native Shaman he brought to the site years ago. Jim returns for the first time since childhood, but his vivid memories show the impact it has had. They describe the dig site as if it had happened yesterday, describing vivid scenes of the 1968 dig. The most shocking revelation came when the conversation steered towards repatriation. They detail how the central burial pit was left in place, and re-covered with dirt, Sheridan Nurseries going right back to work overtop. Those bureaucrats really lied to me! A far cry from the Town of Halton Hills’ story, claiming the remains had been removed and repatriated, and the site was no longer in use.

For some mysterious reason, I gave the Town of Halton Hills the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to believe that my local government would act responsibly, and treat this issue with the sensitivity and respect it deserves. I wanted to. I wrote a follow-up article, detailing my journey with Andrew and Jim, and updating information regarding the location of remains as well as the discrepancy with the Town of Halton Hills. The second article plainly outlines not only the err in Halton’s statement, but also the actual location of the site, as well as the burial site being unmarked and actively worked on. The information is verified by the two eyewitness accounts; The Town of Halton Hills’ claims have no ground to stand upon.

Andrew MacDonald (left) and Jim Colter (right) stand near the location of the unmarked burial, which is approximately under the tarps to the left.

I reached out to both Sheridan Nurseries and the Town of Halton Hills with this second article, and received dead ends with both. Twice I climbed Sheridan Nurseries corporate ladder on the phone, leaving a message with the highest ranking available employee. It has been almost one month and I have yet to hear back from anyone at Sheridan Nurseries. Sheridan Nurseries is aware of the unmarked Indigenous burial they continue to operate over. The Town of Halton Hills responded, but the end result is the same as if they had not. The Town’s primary concern when (repeatedly) contacted, was publicity. The first thing said in response was “In our previous conversation you did not identify yourself as a journalist. Please note that media requests should be submitted in writing to (The Town).” The small town government is concerned about its image and attempts to stay on top of what information is publicized about them. To no avail. “The Town is not responsible for Bruce Trail signage” they continue in their email. In the Town’s eyes, The Town is not responsible for anything. “Responsibility lies with the Ministry of Heritage… You can reach out to them (yourself).” The Town of Halton Hills deflects any and all responsibility for the site, offering a litany of red tape and hoops to jump through instead. The Town did not express any concern whatsoever in any contact, deflecting all blame to other departments despite the issue being within Halton’s own borders. Officials have the power to do something themselves, or bring it forward to people who can but choose to do nothing. In deflecting blame of such issue, the Town expresses no concern towards the matter whatsoever, doing nothing productive and providing the bare amount of deflection to avoid a real day’s work.

Since local government chooses to do nothing, I have chosen to do something myself. On the Bruce Trail, at the site of the clearing in the trees marking the entrance to the site I have erected a sign. The sign acknowledges the true identity of the site, as well as the shameful job done to respect it by Sheridan Nurseries and local government. Attached to the sign is a QR code, allowing walkers to scan with a mobile device and read about the history of the site- the first article. I have returned once since putting it up to find it vandalized, and thrown into the valley below. It is back up, and will remain despite attempts of vandalism. Both the government of Halton Hills and Sheridan Nurseries are aware of the burial site, its actual location, the presence of remains, its forgotten state, and choses to do nothing. Repeated misinformation on part of the local government demonstrates either blatant unawareness or attempts to hide the truth- either way concerning. The Town of Halton Hills’ poor management is disappointing, but sadly reflective of the state of Indigenous issues and local government in Canada.