Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Honor Dance celebration

Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Konawa hosted a Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Honor Dance on Saturday, Sept. 10. Planning began several months in advance with Esther and Kendra Lowden, the Southside Potawatomi Family and Friends and several members of Sacred Heart.

The celebration started with an honor ceremony at the Saint Kateri statue outside of the Church. A Potawatomi women’s group began the ceremony with a drum honor song, “Ogema Kwe.”

Father Joseph Reddy Duggempudi, pastor at Sacred Heart, continued with an opening prayer and blessing before the flower crowning by the Honor Dance Princess, Abby Brimm. The parish community entered the church to the Potawatomi Women’s group singing “All are Welcome to our home.”

After the Mass, the Saint Kateri Honor Dance began with prayers, led by Arlene Goodfox and Elder Marvin Thurman, followed by gourd dancing led by the head gourd dancer, Randy Frazier, which continued until supper. A free traditional Native American meal was prepared over an open fire by the Southside Potawatomi Family and Friends, and served to all who attended. Desserts were provided by the Sacred Heart Altar Society.  

Next was the grand entry, led by the Seminole Nation Color Guard, the head man dancer, Marty Thurman, and head lady dancer, Angie Thurman Goodfox. Traditional Native American dancing followed with Rowe Kishketon as the head drum.

The Emcee, Carla Whiteman, and the arena director, Joseph Blanchard, directed the activities while explaining the various dances and their meanings. The evening’s activities concluded with a prayer as a cool gust of wind preceded a bright, orange moon in the sky.

The Church celebrates the Feast Day of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, “The Lily of the Mohawks,” on July 14. In 2012, she became the first Native American to be canonized by the Catholic Church.