Human bones found over the long weekend in Old Crow have been reburied.

The remains, found last Saturday at the edge of the Porcupine River, were reburied Tuesday about 12 metres away from where they were originally discovered, the finder, Old Crow resident Allan Benjamin, said in an interview Wednesday

Benjamin was canoeing to a family member's camp when he came across the bones about two kilometres northeast of the remote community, which is 1,000 kilometres north of Whitehorse.

Benjamin said he originally thought the human skull was a rock, until he found a number of ribs and other bones by the water's edge.

"As soon as I realized what it was, I was very careful not to touch anything; you have to respect the site,” he told the Star.

The 54-year-old, who has lived in Old Crow his entire life, said his grandmother used to tell him stories about an old burial ground in the area.

Benjamin believes erosion and the effects of climate change are to blame for the bones being uncovered.

In a statement Wednesday, the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation said the reburial was a traditional ceremony involving spiritual leaders.

"Direction from community elders was given to the leadership and the heritage department of the Vuntut Gwitchin government to address this discovery in an urgent and respectful manner.”

The issue was dealt with quietly and with minimal disturbance, the statement said.

"It is with great care that we tended to the remains of our relations so that they may rest undisturbed, in peace, and on their traditional territory.

"At this time, we are aware of a number of ancient burial locations throughout our traditional territory,” the statement said. "We are working towards protecting these sacred areas from future disturbances.”

Cpl. Karina Watson of the Old Crow RCMP said officers went to the scene when the bones were first found but said there is no criminal investigation underway.

The coroner's office in Whitehorse has been called in to investigating the find.

Chief coroner Sharon Hanley said her office is required to determine the age of the remains whenever something is uncovered.

No decision has been made yet as to how the bones will be examined, she told the Star.

That could be done using photos, or the remains may have to be exhumed, Hanley said.

"We always do our best to respect tradition and also cause minimal damage to the land,” she said.

Benjamin said he hopes the bones will be able to stay buried.

"I think that's the proper thing,” he said. "It's about respecting the person; those are our ancestors.”