Nearly 1,000 Native American Catholics from throughout the U.S. will come together at the Sharonville Convention Center for the 80th Annual Tekakwitha National Conference, July 17-21, 2019. Named after Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, a young Mohawk/Algonquin woman of the 17th century, the conference focuses on reinforcing Catholic identities among Indigenous communities. The Tekakwitha Conference is the only Catholic Native American religious organization in North America.
Youth and adult-focused programming centered around cultural and spiritual traditions are scheduled throughout the conference. Highlights of the conference include:
Youth and adult-focused programming centered around cultural and spiritual traditions are scheduled throughout the conference. Highlights of the conference include:
- All Nations Grand Entry (Thursday, July 18 – 9 a.m.)
- Healing Service (Thursday, July 18 – 7 p.m.)
- Cultural presentations about Fort Ancient, Sun Watch and Serpent Mound (July 18 and 19)
- Pow Wow (Friday, July 19 – 7 p.m.)
“There are such strong Catholic roots throughout the Cincinnati region, so to host a convention that celebrates both faith and culture is a testament to the welcoming environment and community that we’ve established for travelers and convention attendees,” said Jim Downton, Executive Director of the Sharonville Convention Center. “We extend our greatest welcome to the visitors who have traveled here for the Tekakwitha National Conference and encourage them to experience our region throughout their stay.”
The Tekakwitha Conference is one of many multicultural or religious conferences hosted in the Cincinnati region this year, including the Central Conference for American Rabbis (March), the National Association of Free Will Baptists (July), the North America Vishwa Kannada Association and the Wesleyan Church FUEL Conference (December).
A complete schedule of events for the 80th Annual Tekakwitha National Conference can be found here.
# # #
About the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau is a sales, marketing and service organization whose primary responsibility is to positively impact Hamilton County's and the City of Cincinnati's economy through convention, trade show and visitor expenditures. The travel and tourism industry traditionally has been a $5.3 billion industry in Cincinnati USA, employing more than 80,000 people in a variety of fields and bringing 26.6 million visitors to the region annually. Visit www.cincyusa.com for more information.
The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau is a sales, marketing and service organization whose primary responsibility is to positively impact Hamilton County's and the City of Cincinnati's economy through convention, trade show and visitor expenditures. The travel and tourism industry traditionally has been a $5.3 billion industry in Cincinnati USA, employing more than 80,000 people in a variety of fields and bringing 26.6 million visitors to the region annually. Visit www.cincyusa.com for more information.
