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PLACES TO VISIT
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER MISSION
SHRINE OF KATERI TEKAKWITHA
Welcome to the St. Francis Xavier Mission, an historic mission established in 1667 at Laprairie, Quebec to finally settle in 1716 at its present location, Kahnawá:ke, 10 minutes from Montreal.
The Mission is the home of the Shrine of Kateri Tekakwitha known as the "Lily of the Mohawks", a young Mohawk woman on the threshold of becoming a saint. She was declared "Venerable" in 1943 and proclaimed "Blessed" in 1980.
The Mission exhibits many historic treasures and gifts from France such as religious objects, paintings, statues and the relics of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. The Kateri Center, nearby, is the official office in Canada for Kateri's cause.
Museum and Gift Shop. Open all year. 10am-5pm. Guided tours available
CULTURAL CENTER
In the interests of preserving Kahnawá:ke's unique cultural heritage, the Kaniein'kehaka Raotitiohkwa Onkwawén:na Cultural Center was established in 1978. In 2004, the Cultural Center moved to its much larger current facility, just south of the Old Malone Highway.
The Center features a number of books in its extensive library, as well as a number of other resources for scholars, or for those who simply have a general interest in learning about the Kanien'kehaka and Haudenosaunee People. The Center also hosts a number of art exhibits, featuring the works of local and other Native artisans.
(450) 638-0880
ECHOES OF A PROUD NATION POW-WOW
Since 1991, the Echoes of a Proud Nation Pow- Wow has taken place on Tekakwitha Island on the closest weekend to July 11, which is the anniversary of the start of the 1990 Mohawk standoff with provincial and federal forces. In one sense, the annual event may commemorate "the Crisis", but at the same time, it does much to promote cross-cultural understanding between Native and non-Native Peoples alike.
The event promotes an atmosphere of friendship between Kahnawá:ke and its neighbours, as well as with visitors from all parts of the world. Every year, the thousands of people who come to this event are treated to a vast display of Native arts and crafts, foods, songs and dance.
(450) 632-8667 |
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