Native American
Clifton Choctaw Tribe

by Dr. Hiram F. "Pete" Gregory

The Clifton-Choctaw community, whose members are descended from 18th-century Choctaw, Chatot, and Creole families, has a long history. The community lives in Clifton, Louisiana, a rural area in northwestern Rapides Parish, and maintains a number of traditional folkways: basketry (both white oak andpinestraw), quilting, tupelo bowl carving, herbal knowledge, turkeytail fan-making, and pan-tribal arts and crafts.

The tribe runs a craft shop and cafe, maintains a tribal office, and runs apine plantation. Formerly isolated, the community now holds an annual trade day and invites visitors.

Clifton Choctaw Tribe Folk Artists:

Basketry

Kathlene Thomas - Pinestraw Basketmaker

Becky Tyler - Pinestraw Basketmaker