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Minnesota News
Melissa Olson

Group of wild ricers find human remains on the shores of Leech Lake

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A group of people gathering wild rice on Saturday reported human remains along the shores of Leech Lake, east of Walker.  

Cass County deputies responded to the call and identified the skeleton remains of “at least three individuals believed to be several hundred years old,” according to a joint news release from Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Leech Lake tribal police.

County deputies contacted the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Heritage Sites program. According to the news release, representatives from Leech Lake confirmed the deputies’ findings, and “steps were taken to secure the remains.” 

The specific location where the remains were located is not being disclosed at this time, though it is located within a known cultural site near Gould Township. 

The site is within the boundaries of the Leech Lake reservation. 

County and tribal law enforcement also contacted the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council. The council is assisting with the process, according to the release. 

“The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, the Leech Lake Tribal Police Department and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe would like to take this opportunity to remind citizens the importance of contacting law enforcement should they encounter suspected human remains and to not disturb the area,” according to the release. 

The release went on to remind the public that anyone disturbing cultural sites and cemeteries may face civil and criminal penalties.  

County, tribal and state officials “are working together to ensure the human remains are preserved and ultimately restored to their original state in a timely, and culturally appropriate manner,” the release said.