Friends and Family Remember Kenny Leaf One Year after His Murder

By Mahlon Smoke

Kaniehkehaka Kaianerehkowa Kanonsesne - One year ago on July 27th, Kenny Leaf was found dead after months of searching. Since then, his murder has remained unsolved and his family desperate for answers. Over the weekend a 'March for Justice' was held where friends and family gathered demanding Kenny Leaf's murderer be arrested and that the community to speak up if they 'Know Something, Say Something' which was chanted along Route 37 highway on a hot Saturday morning.

Over 70 people gathered at the TVI building (former Three Feathers Casino) where they would march along Route 37 to the Kaianerehkowa Longhouse. There a fire would burn for 365 minutes as a symbolic gesture for each day the Leaf family has waited for justice.

The main organizer of the march is sister-in-law of Kenny Leaf, Jennifer Leaf, who had grown up with Leaf and considered him like a brother. She gave a heartfelt and emotional speech about how on the day Leaf was found, she and the rest of the family were preparing a funeral for him.

"There are endless images in our minds about what happened to Kenny," Jennifer Leaf said in her speech, speaking of what he was like to the bitter end. She expressed that she doesn't know if he was crying for his family, but she liked to believe that that he was defiant to the end. "That's the Kenny I remember and wish to remember."

She also expressed sympathy for Kenny's two youngest children, Kenni Leaf, three months old, and Kyro Leaf, one-year-old who are, 'Now growing up without a loving father'. She also noted the tragedy of Leaf's older children Kandy Pierce, Brandy Pierce, Kelly Pierce and Jesse Benedict, who were in attendance. Everyone began to cry as Jennifer Leaf began to plead to the community of Akwesasne, who have showed their support throughout the year since Leaf's death, to continue to help the police and investigators to solve his murder.

"I know that there is someone out there who knows what happened to him – you choose to hide, his murderer goes free," Jennifer Leaf cried during her speech.

Speaking out to anyone who may know something that they wish not to share. The family of Kenny Leaf just wish for any tips that can help bring the murder suspect to justice and let the family find peace.

During her speech she wished to acknowledge the other missing Akwesasne people who have gone missing and have still not been found. She and the rest of the family wished for others to not share the same pain as them and hopefully have their missing returned home safety. After her speech, Shawn Chubb came forward and wanted to honor Leaf and the other missing Akwesasronon with a song and dance. Everyone held hands and danced in a circle as the fire for Leaf continued to burn.

For anyone wishing to help, please contact the St. Regis Mohawk Police at (518) 358-9200, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police at (613)-575-2255, or contact the Surete Du Quebec at (800) 659-4264. If anyone wishes to remain anonymous they can send in a letter, call in on a pay phone, or asked to be kept anonymous when calling in. Any tip will help and the Leaf family thanks you for any information.