Issue of Father Lajoie’s Remains to be Decided by Community
Written by Paul Graif on 22 February 2022
The issue of Father Leon Lajoie’s remains is going to a vote in Kahnawake. Following a community consultation late last year, nearly 52% of those who responded voted to have his remains exhumed and moved elsewhere. Almost 29% said to leave him where he is until the investigation is complete. 19% said they wanted him left where he is. Lajoie was buried at the St Francis Xavier Mission in 1999.
“Based on the results of that it was supposed to be a community vote,” said Tonya Perron an elected official with the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK). “It was why the survey was done to see where we should go with it. Moving forward it’s obvious that it has to a decision of the community and not just of the council.”
The Jesuit Order and Diocese of St-Jean-Longueil have confirmed that if the community declares the remains should be removed, they will lead all legal actions towards a resolution and absorb all related costs. Should relocation be confirmed, they wish to move Fr. Lajoie’s remains to the Jesuit Cemetery in St-Jerome. The Kahnawake vote will likely be held March 25-26th. It will be independently run by PlanIT Consulting.
“I just hope that everybody who has any opinion or position in respect to this will come out and cast their vote so we can we can finally move on and get to what I think is the more important part of the healing process,” Perron said.
