October 28, 2008
                                                                                          For immediate release

PEMBROKE – Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust, the City of Pembroke and the Centre culturel francophone de Pembroke unveiled a provincial plaque commemorating Jeanne Lajoie (1899-1930).

Lajoie was born in Lefaivre, west of Hawkesbury, on February 2, 1899. From an early age she was plagued by poor health, but she persevered, setting her sights on becoming a teacher. In 1923, she accepted a position at St. John School in Pembroke. There, she would figure prominently in the last major battle of the Franco-Ontarian struggle against Regulation 17, which from 1912 to 1927 prohibited instruction in French after Grade 2.

“Jeanne Lajoie was a dedicated teacher and advocate for French-language schools,” said The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust. “This provincial plaque will ensure that her contributions to preserving Ontario's francophone culture are remembered.”

Although francophones were the largest cultural group in Pembroke, St. John School was the only Catholic school offering French instruction. However, not long after Lajoie was hired to teach at the school, she was replaced by an anglophone instructor. Following her dismissal, she wrote to the Association Canadienne-Française d'Éducation d'Ontario (ACFÉO). Her letter was published in the newspaper, sparking a reaction among local parents who wanted their children to receive instruction in French. With the support of ACFÉO, parents voted to establish the first independent French school in Pembroke – École libre de Sainte-Jeanne-d’Arc – with Lajoie as teacher.

“Jeanne Lajoie’s commitment to providing education in French for the children of her community had a lasting impact on generations of Franco-Ontarians,” said Culture Minister Aileen Carroll. “I’m pleased to see her contributions commemorated with a provincial plaque.”

For the next four years, Lajoie figured prominently in the Pembroke school crisis, until Regulation 17 was rescinded in 1927. Sadly, however, those years took a toll on her health, and in 1930 she succumbed to tuberculosis at the age of 31.

“The Francophone community of Pembroke is proud of its heritage and is delighted that the Ontario Heritage Trust and the City of Pembroke will be unveiling a commemorative plaque highlighting the meaningful work of Jeanne Lajoie in our region,” said Lucile Tourigny, president of Le Centre culturel francophone de Pembroke. “Her ardour, conviction and love of the French language and culture are a light that continues to shine on our community today.”

Today, Jeanne Lajoie is remembered as the “Pucelle de Pembroke” (the “Maid of Pembroke”), in reference to Joan of Arc, for her commitment to providing education in French and preserving francophone culture within Ontario. The public École élémentaire Jeanne Lajoie in Toronto and the Roman Catholic École intermédiaire Jeanne-Lajoie in Pembroke are both named in her honour.

The Ontario Heritage Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario, dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario’s heritage.

The Trust gratefully acknowledges the Ontario Office of Francophone Affairs for its assistance and the Department of Canadian Heritage for its financial contribution to this provincial plaque through the Canada-Ontario Agreement on French-Language Services.

Quick Facts:

• The Ontario Heritage Trust’s Provincial Plaque Program commemorates significant people, places and events in Ontario’s history.
• Since 1953, over 1,200 provincial plaques have been unveiled.
• There are 41 provincial plaques across the province commemorating Franco-Ontarian heritage and 48 celebrating women in history.

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Contact:

Catrina Colme
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Ontario Heritage Trust
Telephone: 416-325-5074
E-mail: catrina.colme@heritagetrust.on.ca