On March 10, 2026, leaders from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne joined other First Nations representatives in Gatineau to receive cultural items that were previously held by the Vatican Museums. This ceremony marks a major step in bringing historical belongings back to the community in Akwesasne, Ontario, and reclaiming local heritage.
Grand Chief Leonard Lazore attended the event along with District Chiefs Tesha Rourke, Scott Peters, Teresa Oakes, and Tom Thomas. These leaders were supported by the Akwesasne Rights and Research Office, which helped research and secure the return of these ancient items.
The belongings were part of a group of 62 cultural objects returned to Canada in December 2025. According to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the return was a gesture by Pope Leo XIV during an event called the Jubilee of Hope.
Community leaders explained that these items are important links to ancestral knowledge and cultural identity. The community will now focus on protecting and preserving these belongings so they can be honoured and kept safe for future generations.
