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.

LOUISIANA NATIVE NATIONS - TENT A
Weekend 1 demonstrators

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

WOOD CARVING
Ivy Billiot
United Houma Nation
Raceland, Lafourche Parish

WOOD CARVING
& MINIATURE BOATS
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
Jeanerette, Iberia Parish

RIVER CANE BASKETS
Scarlett Darden
Chitimacha
Jeanerette, Iberia 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

THE IMMERSION COUCH LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION
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 special performances include Native Nations Intertribal and Calpulli Tonalehqueh.


EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
On Friday, May 2nd the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell will present an educational program and performance for Native American youth at Southtown Elementary School Gym in Lafourche Parish. This year’s workshop will feature Tia Wood.


HAPPENINGS
& POW WOWS
NATIVE NATIONS INTERTRIBAL
THURSDAY, APRIL 24: 12:05-12:25, 1:20 -1:40, 3:55-4:20
FRIDAY, APRIL 25: 12:00-12:20, 1:20-1:40, 2:35-2:55
SATURDAY, APRIL 26: 12:05- 12:25, 1:15- 1:35, 3:50-4:20
SUNDAY, APRIL 27: 12:10-12:30, 1:20-1:40, 2:35- 2:55
CALPULLI TONALEQUEH AZTEC DANCERS
THURSDAY, MAY 1: 1:20- 1:40, 2:40- 3:05, 4:05- 4:30
FRIDAY, MAY 2: 12:05-12:25, 1:20-1:40, 2:40-3:00
SATURDAY, MAY 3: 1:15-1:35, 2:30-2:50
(HITHLA STOMP DANCERS 3:45 – 4:10)
SUNDAY, MAY 4: 12:05-12:30, 1:20-1:40
LOUISIANA FOLKLIFE CELEBRATES MEXICO WITH MARIACHI JALISCO
SUNDAY, APRIL 27: 12:10-12:30