1977-1983: Tekakwitha Conference reorganized and expanded. The Conference has developed into an international association of Native American Catholics and those in ministry with them.

1980:  " ... When I first attended my Kateri Tekakwitha Conference in Denver, that ... affirmed ... me ... there was a lot going on there, things that I have wanted to do and wanted to be involved in were all presented there ... So I joined ... both of us ... were so impressed. So we just stayed on with the Conference and we have come a long ways changing that ... so many places that we have gone to, the different tribes that come, sometimes there was about 110,100 ... tribes come into these Conferences and just sharing. Just telling each others about their lives and their experience and about their ways, how they learned about the Lord and how they learned about Kateri Tekakwitha. And it's just beautiful, so we keep going."

Juana Pecos (Jemez)

1980:  Declared blessed by Pope John Paul II.

"On the one hand I was thinking, we're on the right road. She's going to be a saint one of these years. On the other hand. It's not only having another miracle presented to Rome in order for her to be canonized, but all those other obstacles. And these obstacles are nothing compared to what she went through in the 17th...century...Maybe it's...a trial period...for us Native Americans. We need to go through that now just like the...Jewish people."

Deacon Daniel Nez Martin (Navajo)