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
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
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.
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.
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