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 Chitimacha, Tunica-Biloxi, United Houma Nation, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana and Clifton Choctaw.
LOUISIANA NATIVE NATIONS - TENT A
Weekend 1 demonstrators
PINE NEEDLE BASKETS & BEADWORK
Marjorie Battise
Coushatta
Kinder, Allen Parish
WOOD CARVING
Douglas Fazzio
United Houma Nation
Houma, Terrebonne Parish
YAKNI ACHUKUMA: NATIVE PLANT USES
Tammy Greer
United Houma Nation
Hattiesburg, MS
PINE NEEDLE BASKETS & BEADED JEWELRY
Becky Thomas-Meziere
Clifton Choctaw
Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish
PINE NEEDLE BASKETS
Myrna Wilson
Coushatta
Elton, Jefferson Davis Parish
LOUISIANA NATIVE NATIONS - TENT A
Weekend 2 Demonstrators
PALMETTO BASKET WEAVING
Lora Ann Chaisson
United Houma Nation
Montegut, Terrebonne Parish
RIVER CANE BASKETS
John Darden
Chitimacha
Charenton, St. Mary Parish
RIVER CANE BASKETS
Scarlett Darden
Chitimacha
Charenton, St. Mary Parish
GARFISH SCALE JEWELRY &
HOUMA HALF-HITCHED PALMETTO BASKETS
Janie Luster
United Houma Nation
Theriot, Terrebonne Parish
WOOD CARVING
Roy Parfait
United Houma Nation
Dulac, Terrebonne Parish
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 special performances include Native Nations Intertribal and White Eagle Singers.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
On Wednesday April 29th, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell will showcase an educational program and performance for Native American youth at Houma Municipal Auditorium. This year’s workshop will feature Frank Waln, an award winning Sicangu Lakota multi-genre music artist, public speaker and educator from the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.
HAPPENINGS
& POW WOWS
NATIVE NATIONS INTERTRIBAL
THURSDAY, APRIL 23: 1:20-1:40, 2:35 -2:55, 3:55-4:20
FRIDAY, APRIL 24: 1:20-1:40, 2:40-3:00, 4:00-4:25
SATURDAY, APRIL 25: 12:05- 12:25, 1:20- 1:40, 2:35-2:55
SUNDAY, APRIL 26: 12:20-12:45, 1:45-2:10, 3:20- 3:45
WHITE EAGLE SINGERS
THURSDAY, APRIL 30: 12:05- 12:25, 1:20- 1:40, 2:00- 3:00
FRIDAY, MAY 1: 1:20-1:40, 2:40-3:00, 4:00-4:25
SATURDAY, MAY 2: 12:05-12:25, 1:20-1:40, 2:35-2:50
SUNDAY, MAY 3: 12:05-12:25, 2:40-3:00, 3:55-4:15
MARIACHI JALISCO
SUNDAY, MAY 3: 1:20-1:40




