In the book Tracks, written by Louise Erdrich we meet various characters, including Pauline. As we hear stories about her life and circumstances that she encountered and overcame, we gain insight into the life of a woman who fought to gain acceptance in a world where no one would accept her. As Erdrich wrote the book she based the life of Pauline on a Native American historical figure, Tekawitha Kateri. When looking at the lives of these two women we can see the many similarities in their lives, but also many differences that make them unique from each other.
             As children, Tekawitha and Pauline grew up without the aid of their parents. At age fifteen, Pauline asked her father to send her away to go to live with his sister. Pauline wanted to be like her mother who was half - white and like her grandfather who was pure Canadian. Her father obeyed her wish and sent her away to her aunt. Like Pauline Tekawitha grew up with out parents. When the whites came to the Americas they "...brought sickness with them and many of the Indian people died" (Tekawitha 1). This was the case with Tekawitha's parents. They both died of a sickness when Tekawitha was only four years old. Soon after, she went to live with her uncle (Tekawitha 1)
             As Pauline and Tekawitha grew up, they sought a life of Catholicism. They both sought it in similar yet unique ways. Tekawitha was introduced to the religion when "...men came to the village where Tekawitha lived (Tekawitha 2). Tekawitha listened to what the men had had to say about God's son and how he showed the people how to live in peace. For eight years the "black robes", as they were called, came to Tekawitha's village teaching and baptizing the people. Tekawitha wanted to be baptized but feared displeasing her uncle. Finally she did get baptized. As time progressed some of her people thought that she was betraying them and "...going over...