NATCHTITOCHES – Northwest Louisiana is home to many unique communities with deep rooted cultural traditions. As part of its mission to promote and preserve these unique and valuable cultural traditions, Cane River National Heritage Area (CRNHA, Inc.) and the US Army Corps of Engineers Grand Ecore Visitors Center are proud to announce the upcoming lecture series “Welcome Home.” This series will focus on the ways in which the unique communities of the Cane River region preserve their familial and cultural bonds in the modern world.
Dorsey Ebarb Bronson, a tribal elder of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb will present at the first lecture on March 17, 2016. Bronson has documented many of her community’s foodways in her recently published book entitled, Louisiana Cooking by Native American Choctaw-Apache. Dorsey comments that she is "just following in my Goodmama's footsteps preserving Choctaw-Apache tradition of family and faith for those who come after me” when asked to explain her passion for sharing her food traditions with others.
Foodways are the intersection of culture and tradition and are one of the many ways in which families, communities, and cultures identify and preserve their societies. From tamales to fry bread; Dorsey will discuss the importance and power of food in the preservation of culture. In addition, Dorsey will graciously present a video of her grandfather (Dora “Papa” Sepulveda) rendering a hog—highlighting how, what was once a common tradition among many communities continues today among the Choctaw-Apache.
“We are extremely pleased to facilitate Mrs. Bronson’s presentation and demonstration” remarked Steven Fullen, CRNHA Director of Interpretation. “It is important that we provide venues for community members to interpret and promote what they find beautiful and integral to their identity as members of the various Cane River region cultural groups. I want to thank Mrs. Bronson for her work and commitment to promoting and preserving her cultural traditions,” says Steven Fullen.
The first Welcome Home Lunchtime Lecture entitled, “A Taste of Heritage: Fry Bread Cooking & Tamale Demonstration” will take place on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at the Grand Ecore Visitor Center located at 106 Tauzin Road, Natchitoches, LA. The lecture is scheduled to begin at 11:30AM. This event is free and open to the public. Brown bag lunches will be available for those who RSVP in advance to SFullen@CaneRiverNHA.org or call 318.356.5555. The deadline to RSVP for a brown bag lunch is March 14, 2016. For more information, please visit www.CaneRiverNHA.org.
