Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha (1656 -1680) Lily of the Mohawk; a native of Osserneon; New York; Algonquin mother; Catholic; and the father of traditional faith; chieftain of the village of Mohawk Osserneon. Survived a smallpox epidemic in 1660 that left his face disfigured and severely impaired vision; baptized at Albany by French missionaries; fled to Canada to escape the wrath of the heathen relatives. Here he lived in prayer. The March 25; 1679 made a vow of perpetual virginity. Destroyed by disease and suffering; died April 17; 1680 at just 24 years after his death disappeared from his face the signs of smallpox. June 22; 1980 Beatified by Pope John Paul II; the Vatican announced on 19/12/2011 the upcoming canonization in 2012 will be the first Native American to be made holy. Little image photolithographic; Canada about 1950