Northwestern State University will host the 54th annual four-state Caddo Conference March 16-17 featuring papers on archaeology, ethnology, history and literature pertaining to the Caddo People and their culture. The event will be held in the ballroom of the Sylvan Friedman Student Union. Meetings are open to the public.

“We have about 25 presentations schedule for the conference,” said Jeff Girard, regional archaeologist. “Several papers concern the time of use and activities carried out at prehistoric Caddo mound centers in the region. Other topics include styles of prehistoric effigy beads, technology of Caddo pottery manufacture, edible plants that are native to the region and used by the Caddo, the 1835 Caddo Land Cession and a discussion panel concerning relationships between Caddo and Lower Mississippi Valley cultures.”

The Caddo Culture Club will hold a traditional Caddo dance in the ballroom from 7-10 p.m. Saturday, March 17.

Organizers expect around 100 participants from Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, including many people from the Caddo Nation in Oklahoma, Girard added.

For more information, contact Girard at (318) 357-5471 or e-mail girardj@nsula.edu.