Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

When Jordan Thompson drew a portrait of Kateri Tekakwitha, he probably never dreamed it would later be a piece that would be presented to and blessed by the Pope, and then hung in the Vatican as the official portrait of Kateri Tekakwitha. Jordan’s piece was chosen at the Kateri Tekakwitha Conference by the National Kateri Board from a contest that called on Indian Country in US and Canada to submit their rendering of Kateri. Debbie Thomas, a National Board member, said she was excited and encouraged about the portrait being chosen, because it was done by one of Kateri’s own people, a Mohawk.

Because the piece is so large, it will actually be the first official copy that goes to Rome. The original will hang in the National Office of Blessed Kateri in Great Falls, Montana. Jordan will not go to Rome, instead he told Debbie Thomas that he would be honored if she would give his portrait to the Pope as a gift from the St. Regis Mission Kateri Circle on his behalf. Jordan said it was a great honor that his piece was chosen, especially because he grew up a Catholic Mohawk.