With Pope Francis’s July 2022 apostolic journey to Canada and meetings with representatives of indigenous peoples there, the relationship between the Catholic Church and Native Americans has been in the spotlight recently. While not all of the history is without blemish, Pope Francis apologized for the past sins of the Catholic Church in relationship to Native Americans and expressed his desire for a path forward “toward an ever more healthy and renewed future.”
As we observe Native American Heritage Month in November, you may wish to explore these resources and consider integrating some of them in your classes:
Websites and Print Resources
USCCB Subcommittee: Native American Affairs
Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions
The Church and the Native Americans: The Real Story
Extension Magazine: Native American Catholics
Catholic Digest: Five Facts About St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Knots on a Counting Rope (story for Grades 3–4)
Videos
Celebrating Native American Catholics (5 short videos)
The Relationship Between the Catholic Church & Native Americans
Enduring Faith: The Story of Native American Catholicism (3-minute trailer)
Enduring Faith: The Story of Native American Catholicism (1-hour documentary)
Saint Kateri and Native American Catholics
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha: Mohawk Mystic of North America
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
St. Kateri Tekakwitha & Catholic Native American History
Biography of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the First Native American Saint
Gospel Weeklies Seasonal Resources
Promise: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha / Santa Catalina Tekakwitha
Good News: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha / Santa Catalina Tekakwitha
Venture: Saint Kateri’s Totem / El tótem de Santa Catalina
Visions: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha / Santa Catalina Tekakwitha
Family-Parents: Introducing Two American Saints
Family-Parents: Saint Katharine Drexel (1858–1955)
Image credit: michael_swan (CC BY-ND 2.0) via flickr.com
