Louisiana is rich in Native American culture. Since the beginning of Jazz Fest, local tribal craftspeople have showcased their crafts at the Festival. A celebration of the influence of Louisiana tribes, the Native American Village within the Folklife Village focuses on the rich heritage of our state’s indigenous peoples.

The Native American Village offers Festivalgoers an oasis of tranquil charm. Relax under the shade canopy of a palmetto-thatched chickee while enjoying traditional drumming and singing by indigenous dance and powwow troupes. Taste traditional southeastern maque choux as you watch demonstrations of basket weaving, beading and wood carving by Louisiana’s tribal elders and their apprentices. The Native Nations Tent showcases Louisiana’s indigenous craftspeople from state and federally recognized Louisiana tribes including United Houma Nation, Jena Band of Choctaw, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana and Louisiana Band of Choctaw.

Cultural Exchange Pavillion Demonstrators

LOUISIANA NATIVE NATIONS - TENT A
Weekend 1 demonstrators

Marjorie Battise, Native American Village

PINE NEEDLE BASKETS & BEADWORK 
Marjorie Battise 
Coushatta 
Kinder, Allen Parish

Ivy Billiot, Native American Village

WOOD CARVING
Ivy Billiot
United Houma Nation
Raceland, Lafourche Parish

Douglas Fazzio, Native American Village

WOOD CARVING
& MINIATURE BOATS
Douglas Fazzio
United Houma Nation
Houma,
Terrebonne Parish

Becky Thomas-Meziere, Native American Village

PINE NEEDLE BASKETS & BEADED JEWELRY
Becky Thomas-Meziere
Clifton Choctaw
Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish

Myrna Wilson, Native American Village

PINE NEEDLE BASKETS
Myrna Wilson
Coushatta
Elton,
Jefferson Davis Parish

LOUISIANA NATIVE NATIONS - TENT A
Weekend 2 Demonstrators

Lora Ann Chaisson, Native American Village

PALMETTO BASKET WEAVING
Lora Ann Chaisson
United Houma Nation
Montegut,
Terrebonne Parish

John Darden, Native American Village

RIVER CANE BASKETS
John Darden
Chitimacha
Charenton,
St. Mary Parish

Scarlett Darden, Native American Village

RIVER CANE BASKETS
Scarlett Darden
Chitimacha
Charenton,
St. Mary Parish

Janie Luster, Native American Village

GARFISH SCALE JEWELRY
& HOUMA HALF-HITCHED
PALMETTO BASKETS
Janie Luster
United Houma Nation
Theriot,
Terrebonne Parish

Roy Parfait, Native American Village

WOOD CARVING
Roy Parfait
United Houma Nation
Dulac,
Terrebonne Parish

Houma Language Project, Native American Village

THE IMMERSION COUCH
Houma Language Project
Louisiana Gulf South

MUSIC

There will be daily exhibition powwow performances including traditional, fancy shawl, straight dance, grass dance, jingle, hoop, southern cloth and stomp dance. Festivalgoers will have a unique opportunity to learn about the origins of these diverse dances and marvel at the colorful regalia and intricate movements that characterize the southeastern powwow. This year’s drum groups include Native Nations Intertribal and Nimkii and the Niniis.

Nimkii and the Niniis
Nimkii and the Niniis
Native Nations Performer Photo
Native Nations Intertribal

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

On Friday May 3rd, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell will present an educational program for Native American youth at the Houma Municipal Auditorium in Houma, Louisiana. The workshop will feature Lil Mike and Funny Bone.

LiL Mike & FunnyBone
LiL Mike & FunnyBone
NATIVE NATIONS INTERTRIBAL DANCERS

HAPPENINGS
& POW WOWS

NATIVE NATIONS INTERTRIBAL

THURSDAY, APRIL 25: 12:05-12:25, 1:15 -1:35, 3:40- 4:05
FRIDAY, APRIL 26: 12:00- 12:20, 1:20- 1:40, 3:55- 4:20
SATURDAY, APRIL 27: 12:05-12:25, 1:15-1:35, 2:35-3:00
SUNDAY, APRIL 28: 12:10- 12:30, 1:20-1:40, 2:35- 2:55

NIMKII & THE NINIIS

FRIDAY, MAY 3: 12:05-12:25, 1:20-1:40, 4:00-4:25
SATURDAY, MAY 4: 12:05-12:25, 1:15-1:35, 2:30-2:50 
SUNDAY, MAY 5: 12:05-12:25, 2:25- 2:45 PM, 3:40-4:05

MARIACHI JALISCO

SUNDAY, MAY 5
: 1:15-1:352