The Butte Tribe of Bayou Bourbeaux joined the fun and frivolity of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival Parade

  • Chief Rodger Collum built the Butte Tribe’s float for the Christmas Festival parade. Council Chief Estella Almond claimed her station on the float and Vice Chief Belinda Brooks wished them well as she prepares to walk the parade route.
    Chief Rodger Collum built the Butte Tribe’s float for the Christmas Festival parade. Council Chief Estella Almond claimed her station on the float and Vice Chief Belinda Brooks wished them well as she prepares to walk the parade route.
  • At left is Tim Stampley and at right is James Algor who led the tribe along the parade route.
    At left is Tim Stampley and at right is James Algor who led the tribe along the parade route.
  • Spectators at the Christmas Festival Parade enjoyed seeing Chief Rodger Collum aboard his horse Apache, a Paint Tennessee Walker.
    Spectators at the Christmas Festival Parade enjoyed seeing Chief Rodger Collum aboard his horse Apache, a Paint Tennessee Walker.
  • Native American Santa Greylan Barnette was on the Butte Tribe float. The tribe’s first lady, Charia Collum, holds her granddaughter Aurora.
    Native American Santa Greylan Barnette was on the Butte Tribe float. The tribe’s first lady, Charia Collum, holds her granddaughter Aurora.
  • Butte Tribe members met for aa camping weekend at the Chemin-AHaut State Park. A small portion of those attended are above. They enjoyed the weekend with the chief talking about the tribal history, medical seminars on Native American health issues, youth arts and crafts, bingo for the elders and canoeing and music for everyone.
    Butte Tribe members met for aa camping weekend at the Chemin-AHaut State Park. A small portion of those attended are above. They enjoyed the weekend with the chief talking about the tribal history, medical seminars on Native American health issues, youth arts and crafts, bingo for the elders and canoeing and music for everyone.
  • Newly feathered Richard Baines is taking care of business as ordered by the chief. He is in charge of the elders. The Compton sisters are pictured with their aunt, Hazel Trichell Brooks/Bedenbender. Their mother, Rosine Trichell Compton, was the elder sister of Hazel. From left are Charlene Brooks, Tootsey Griffith, Patsy Lord, Hazel Richard Baines and Eddie Bea Johnson.
    Newly feathered Richard Baines is taking care of business as ordered by the chief. He is in charge of the elders. The Compton sisters are pictured with their aunt, Hazel Trichell Brooks/Bedenbender. Their mother, Rosine Trichell Compton, was the elder sister of Hazel. From left are Charlene Brooks, Tootsey Griffith, Patsy Lord, Hazel Richard Baines and Eddie Bea Johnson.
  • Chief Rodger Collum who presented feathers to, from left, Richard Banes, Crystal Desadier, Charlia Collum and Virginia Tolbert Mitchell. At right is Collum.
    Chief Rodger Collum who presented feathers to, from left, Richard Banes, Crystal Desadier, Charlia Collum and Virginia Tolbert Mitchell. At right is Collum.
  • Elder Hazel Trichell Bedbender was awarded the title of Tribal Queen of the Buttee Tribe gathering at Chemin-Haut State Park in Moehouse Parish. She is 94. In background are members Roy and Phyllis Duncan.
    Elder Hazel Trichell Bedbender was awarded the title of Tribal Queen of the Buttee Tribe gathering at Chemin-Haut State Park in Moehouse Parish. She is 94. In background are members Roy and Phyllis Duncan.
    Celebrating Native American Heritage Month, the Butte Tribe of Bayou Bourbeaux held its 2023 Fall Gathering at the Chemin-IHaut State Part in Morehouse Parish Oct. 27-29. Over a hundred members from all over North Louisiana attended.On Friday night, campers road into camp just in time for supper around the campfire. The Bonnett family from West Carroll Parish took charge of food preparat...

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