Kateri Tekakwitha, a Mohawk Indian who was born in upstate New York in 1656, has been approved for sainthood by the Catholic church. She embraced Catholicism after smallpox left her disfigured and partially blinded. Eventually, she left her tribe to join a mission in Canada. With her canonization, she'll become the first Native American saint. But given the Church's history of violence and oppression against Native Americans, this isn't necessarily news to celebrate.
Robert Roche, an Apache Indian and executive director of the American Indian Education Center. does not believe this is a milestone to be celebrated. But Kateri Mitchell, executive director of the Tekakwitha Conference and member of the Mohawk Nation, says the canonization will bring more healing.
The DSM and Mental Health in America
Defining Normal After a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia, The Mayor of Oklahoma City, A New Kind of Commencement Speech
Lessons From a Female Union Electrician
President Obama Seeks to Narrow 'War on Terror,' A Closer Look at the IRS Inquiry, Boy Scouts to Allow Gay Members
Diplomatic Damage Caused by Drone Strikes, In Defense of the DSM-5, Bob Woodruff's Advice for New Grads
The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
Major funding provided by:
Comments [2]
Also remember that no one cared at all about the Native Americans at this time. The Church taught them, etc., using the educational theories of the time, and imperfectly, but they tried.
Hurrah for our friend Kateri!
Of course it's an occasion of celebration: the first Native American saint, the sanctity of Blessed Kateri is being recognized. And a miracle has been attributed to her intercession.
The criticism of the Church with the Native Americans is blind to the massive good that was and is done, see Saint Katherine Drexel: schools, orphanages, hospitals.
Many people in the parish of Blessed Kateri in New York will be going to Rome for the Canonization.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.