Human remains found in Woods Bay

Lake County authorities have turned over human remains found in Woods Bay last week to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, according to a tribal spokesman.

Rob McDonald, CSKT communications director, said the remains were determined to be “pre-World War II” and those of a “teenage person of American Indian descent.”

A crew digging a water line on Driftwood Lane in Woods Bay uncovered the remains last week during excavation work.

McDonald said a University of Montana archeologist examined the bones and made the determination about their origin. Officials from the tribes were at the site Tuesday morning to ensure all the remains had been gathered.

Such discoveries are not uncommon, especially in areas like Flathead Lake that were heavily trafficked by native people for thousands of years, McDonald said.

“We keep extensive records of sites like this,” he said. “It’s not uncommon at all.”

Though it may not be that unusual, CSKT Police Chief Craig Couture praised Lake County authorities for quickly recognizing the cultural significance of the find and releasing them to the tribes.

“The Lake County Sheriff’s Office did a great job of contacting us because they knew this could have cultural and historical significance for the Salish and Kootenai people,” Couture said.