UPDATE: Postponed Lower Post Gathering

News Release

LOWER POST, BC – Yesterday the Daylu Dena Council announced it is postponing their gathering for a ceremonial demolition of the Lower Post residential school that was planned for Monday, June 21st. The decision to postpone came after the discovery yesterday morning of animal remains at a construction site in the community. Due to the location and uncertainty of the remains upon discovery, the RCMP opened an active investigation in the community to conduct a forensic analysis.

In order to prepare for the worst and best protect the wellbeing of their members, Council decided to immediately announce the postponement of the community gathering on Monday. Late last night the Daylu Dena Deputy Chief and Council were relieved to receive notice from the RCMP confirming that the remains were not human.

The compounding impacts of the recent COVID-19 outbreak in the Yukon in addition to the trauma on the community of the discovery yesterday furthered the decision by Council to cancel Monday’s gathering. The administration and community now intend on taking some time to recover from this recent scare.

The Daylu Dena Council would like to recognize the quick response from the RCMP and the sensitive approach taken in their investigation.

Contact:

Gillian Staveley
Media Contact
403.465.3385
gnstaveley.dki@gmail.com