UND: More human remains found, including at medical school

UND has found more human remains in the last six weeks – including those of at least one Native American ancestor.

That announcement from UND President Andrew Armacost, who disclosed in late August that the University had found  remains of “dozens” of ancestral Native Americans, as well as sacred objects, on campus.

In a video statement, Armacost said the newest discovery is tied to the School of Medicine.

“We know that as we searched through anatomy labs and other spaces within the (medical) school, we found additional human remains, at least one of which is a Native American ancestor,” Armacost said.

Armacost said additional ancestors may be discovered.

Dr. Joshua Wynne, UND’s Vice President for Health Affairs, said the remains were used in the education of medical and other students.

“This was the (educational) standard, but that doesn’t mean it was the right standard,” Wynne said. “We should have asked questions. I didn’t.”

Wynne said he doesn’t know why the situation was not discovered earlier.

“I regret my error and our error in this regard, but I can commit to what we’re doing to do from this moment forward,” he said.

Wynne said, effective immediately, UND will no longer use human remains in education — unless they have been donated to the school for that purpose.

Wynne apologized for “the pain that this has caused our Indigenous colleagues. I have visited with many of them and the pain is palpable. And I apologize for my role in not alleviating that pain before now.”

Armacost and Wynne said UND will follow the lead of its repatriation committee as to how the remains are treated. They said the remains will be given the respect they deserve.

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(Photo: UND)