2007 CREOLE HERITAGE CELEBRATION

October 11-14, 2007 - Natchitoches Events Center - Natchitoches, Louisiana
14th Annual Celebration

All reports are in and the 14th Annual Creole Heritage Celebration has been declared a resounding success. A good time was had by all and the educational experiences delivered has been gratefully acknowledged many times over. The one continuing comment received by the Center has been "this Celebration is the best one ever".
The general sessions presented information about the Creole Migrations, history about the Bayou Talk newspaper of California, a panel discussion about the Creole culture; the poetry of P. A. Desdunes; a documentary look at the Creoles of New Orleans; the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma; a look at Creole music, the National Creole Family History database and much more. Plans are in the works to present a video look at many of these activities. A very special gift was presented to the Center in the appearance and non-stop work by Dr. Don Baham, a community-access television producer and the host of the on-going weekly cable television series: "Conversations with Dr. Don" in Beaverton, Oregon. Dr. Don is a retired Clinical Psychologist and a Certified Creole, born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. A report of the access and availability of these films will be provided when this work is complete.
The most visual portrayal of the overall success of this event was the Creole Family Tree. A campaign to provide "leaves" with individual Creole surnames was launched prior to the Celebration and netted over 300 submittals. The over eight feet tall tree was completely filled with ribbons of blue, yellow, lavender, green and coral which provided a beautiful "picture" of the Creole culture. A permanent record of all submittals will be maintained by the Center in the Creole Family Tree Ledger book with a copy of this listing to be posted online. Other visual displays included the replica of the historic St. Augustine Catholic church of Cane River built to-scale by Mr. John LeBlanc of Lafayette, the beekeeper with his exhibit of bees and a wide array of honey for sale, the exhibits of family connections, the various vendors with their wide array of treasures, the kindergartens building their "quilt" one square at a time; the "building" of the Badin Roque house models with instruction by noted artist and teacher Gilbert Fletcher of New York; the sale table with its "Pink" shirts depicting "Creole Alive & Well" selling like hot cakes; the panel exhibits depicting information about the formation of the Cane River Creole Community and the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma; just to name a few. The annual Awards Banquet again hosted an overflow crowd. One of the most notable actions of this event was demonstrated when Janet Colson asked that all out of state visitors to stand and almost half the room stood up. This display was especially noted by our keynote speaker Mr. Chuck Morse, Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Office of Tourism. Mr. Morse's comments contained the remark that he saw these visitors as "Ambassadors" for Louisiana and hope that they would continue the mission of promoting our state. The awards presentation acknowledged twelve (12) different recipients of the Creole People's Awards (see list below). Various members of the Center's Advisory Council and Foundation Board presented the awards. The surprise award presented to John Oswald Colson also contained the presentation of an oil painting by Gilbert Fletcher of Mr. Colson and his charge, the historic Badin Roque House.	RELATED LINKS 2007 Commemorative Book Photo Gallery
The musical presentations definitely provided the ultimate Creole Party two-nights in a row. On Thursday night, the Creole Lady Sings the Blues show provided by Annette Metoyer was a huge hit with the over 300 plus crowd. We are already getting requests to have her back next year. Mr. Geno Delafose rocked the house with his famous Zydeco music till midnight on Friday night. Reports have shown that some dances never sat down! The impromptu inclusion of great performers like Terrance Simien, Willis Prudhomme, and Classie Ballou made this truly an historic event.
A look back at the past Celebrations, along with the 2007 Schedule of Events, was provided in the commemorative book, or the "Red Book" as it is now called. Copies of this book were made available to all attendees, is available online and included with the "Thank You" package available with Creole Heritage Foundation purchases over $50. Along with the Acknowledgements shown in the Red Book, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire Creole Heritage Center staff, the many Northwestern State University student and faculty volunteers, and the additional local, statewide and national volunteers. Without their help, this successful presentation would not have been possible.
2007 Creole People's Award Recipients Mr. Geno Delafose, Dr. Dana Kress, Sheriff Victor Jones, Mrs. Janet LaCour, Mrs. Mary Louise Metoyer (Posthumously), Mrs. Iris Rideau, Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise, Mr. Terrance Simien, Mr. A. P. Tureaud, Mr. Don E. Vappie and Mr. John Oswald Colson.