BAY MILLS — Human remains discovered earlier this week during demolition work on the Kings Club Casino have been identified as those of a young girl buried more than a century ago, according to tribal officials.
The remains were found Tuesday afternoon on the Bay Mills Indian Reservation in Chippewa County, in the same area where elders had long believed a girl from the early 1900s was buried. Out of respect, tribal officials declined to disclose the exact location of the discovery.
Paula Carrick, tribal historic preservation officer with the Bay Mills Indian Community, said the girl was believed to be Little Waiskey, whose burial in the area had been passed down through oral history.
“I was hoping that it would be her, that way we could put her to rest where she will never be disturbed again,” Carrick said. “I mean, I hate that she had to be disturbed. That bothers me. But now we know that she is laid to rest right next to her family.”
Carrick said she is unsure how the girl died, but confirmed her remains were reinterred Thursday at the old Indian burial ground, located about 200 yards west of the discovery site. Demolition on the casino began July 16.