People searching in a Duluth radio station’s medallion hunt disturbed an indigenous burial ground, causing organisers to cancel the annual contest.

In a Facebook post Mayor Jim Paine said the searchers had “disturbed” and caused “damage” to the burial area on Wisconsin Point. The site is well-known as burial grounds and is marked by several signs and memorials.

Shortly after Paine’s Facebook post, Midwest Communications, owner of several Duluth-area radio stations and organizer of the annual Twin Ports Winterfest, announced the immediate cancellation of the medallion hunt in a separate Facebook post.

“It is with great disappointment that Midwest Communications has made the decision to immediately cancel the Winterfest Medallion Hunt … because of damage and disrespect being done to public property,” the radio station said.