A report confirms the presence of human remains on the site of the former Royal Victoria

The archeology firm mandated by the Quebec Infrastructure Society (SQI), McGill University and Mothers Mohawks to conduct research on the ground of the former Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, confirms the presence of human remains on the site.

In a report obtained by indigenous spaces, Askîhk Research Services explains that the combined results of three tests carried out in an area of ​​the field confirm the presence of human remains.

This discovery, announced Wednesday by mothers Mohawk (Kanienʼkehá: Ka Kahnistesera), is the last development of a judicial saga that has been going on for almost a decade.

The Kahnistesera, a group of elders from Kahnawà: Ke, try to brake the work carried out by McGill and the Sqi On the site of the old hospital and the former institute Allan Memorial. They suspect the presence of anonymous burials of indigenous children and other patients who died during psychiatric experiences carried out between 1954 and 1963 as part of the CIA MK-UTRA project.

They will monitor the site to ensure that it is not destroyed until the area is secured for an appropriate surveysaid by press release one of the mothers Mohawks, Kahentinetha.

Archaeologists explain in their report that specialized dogs have detected the presence of human remains on the site in question. Tests carried out by a floor penetration radar said there was a minor potential that there are leftovers there. A probe analyzing the composition and compaction of the soil has confirmed that there was a high potential.

These results only concern one area and surveys must still be carried out in many other areasexplained the Kahnistesera.

Given the methods used and since there is no exhumation, the report does not contain additional information on the remains themselves, especially if they are one of one or more people. There is also no information on the age of the buried person (s) or their ethnic origin either.

We reported this discovery at the Coroner, M^e Géhane Kamel, asking her office to work with Mohawks experts to investigate the evidenceadded at the end of the day a spokesperson for the Kahnistesera.

The role of the panel

In October 2022, Mothers Mohawks had obtained an injunction from the Superior Court of Quebec, in order to put an end to the work until an archaeological plan was adopted by the three parties.

They agreed in April 2023 so that excavations could take place, under the technical advice of a panel of three archaeologists, seconded by an archaeologist Mohawk.

The discoveries announced on Wednesday arise from this agreement and the research was carried out according to the advice of the panel, it is indicated in the report.

But since the implementation of this panel, its role has not been consensus. After he submitted a report in July 2023 specifying the techniques to be favored and the areas to inspect, the Sqi And McGill University considered that its mandate was over.

Instead of listening to the recommendations of archaeologists, McGill and the Sqi decided to dismiss themconsider Kahentinetha rather. Mothers Mohawks challenged this decision before the courts until the Supreme Court rejects their appeal, confirming that the panel could not start its activities again.

If a discovery is made during the work, the Sqi And McGill must once again have recourse to the supervision of this panel.

Since the launch of the work of the new VIC project of McGill, none of which remains human or anonymous burial has been foundsaid McGill University by email.

The Quebec Infrastructure Society, it said thatTo date, nothing confirms the presence of burials, despite the research carried out in all the identified interest zones.

The communications advisor contacted by indigenous areas could not confirm before the publication of this article if the Sqi had read the revelations made by the report, dated February 2025.