Saint Kateri Tekakwitha was a Native American woman born in 1656 in what is now New York. She belonged to the Mohawk tribe and was the daughter of a Mohawk chief and a Christian mother. After surviving smallpox, which left her with scars and impaired vision, she converted to Christianity at the age of 19, taking the name Kateri in honor of Saint Catherine of Siena. Kateri Tekakwitha dedicated her life to her faith, living in a community of Jesuit missionaries in Canada. She is known for her deep spirituality and commitment to helping others. Canonized by the Catholic Church in 2012, she is recognized as the first Native American saint.