To revitalize, mobilize, and empower Creole people and their contributions — for recognition both locally and globally.
WELcome
Welcome to the Creole Heritage Center at Northwestern State University. For nearly 30 years, we have dedicated ourselves to amplifying Louisiana Creole voices, preserving Louisiana Creole history, and keeping a vibrant heritage alive. Louisiana Creoles are a distinct people rooted in Louisiana’s French and Spanish colonial eras, predating both the arrival of the Acadians and the Louisiana Purchase.
Their cultural identity transcends race and ancestry, but is grounded in a shared heritage shaped in Louisiana through language, faith, family, foodways, music, and community traditions. Today, Louisiana Creoles have branched out in diverse ways, yet remain deeply rooted in history and united in heritage.
Learn more about Louisiana Creoles and the Creole Heritage Center by scrolling down or connecting with us using any of the methods below!
Connect With Us
Kyser Hall, Room 118
165 Sam Sibley Drive
Natchitoches, LA 71497
Phone: (318) 357-6685
Email: creolecenter@nsula.edu
Fall 2026 Hours: 9:00am – 4:00pm M-Th; appointments suggested
About Us
To preserve, educate, and advocate the value and significance of the vibrant Louisiana Creole people and their culture.
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We serve as a leading authority on all things Creole.
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We commit to collaboration to promote expertise and dignity among all Creole people.
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We ensure all preservation and educational work is founded on accuracy and community accountability.
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We strive to provide prompt, friendly service to everyone.
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We welcome all who wish to learn about Creole people, their history, and culture.
The Center is guided by an Advisory Council of up to 15 voting members appointed by the President of NSU.
- James Billeaudeau, Chair (Lafayette, LA)
- Louis Metoyer, Vice Chair (Sun City, CA)
- Michael Fontenot, Treasurer (Lake Charles, LA)
- Carla Roque Allen, Secretary (Maumelle, AR)
- Sandra Billeaudeau (Lafayette, LA)
- Lyn Christophe Jones (Natchitoches, LA)
- Barbara DeCuir (Baton Rouge, LA)
- Dr. Elista Istre (Lafayette, LA)
- Marcus Jones (The Woodlands, TX)
- Blaise LaCour (Natchitoches, LA)
- Dr. Christophe Landry (Los Angeles, CA)
- John Metoyer (Chicago, IL)
- Niza Metoyer (Garden Grove, CA)
- David Sigur (Alexandria, VA)
Emeritus members are living, former voting members honored for their service.
- Gwendolyn Bordenave
- Pam Breaux
- Dr. Kathleen Byrd
- Patricia Cravins
- Winston DeCuir
- Daphne Delphin
- Lillie Delphin
- Ann Marie Domino
- Kathleen Balthazar Heitzmann
- Carolyn LaCour-Llorens
- Linda LeCompte
- Father James Moran
- Theresa Delphin Morgan
- Gregory Osborn
- Father Chad Partain
- Mary Metoyer Rodriguez
- Vera Severin
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, momentum built within Louisiana Creole communities to reclaim their heritage, champion positive recognition, and keep their cultural traditions alive. The Creole Heritage Center was one result of these efforts, opening at NSU in the fall of 1998 as a place for Louisiana Creoles across the world to connect and foster their culture, and to serve all seeking knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of Louisiana Creoles and their culture. To meet its purpose and empower Louisiana Creoles themselves, the Center has held educational and community events, including numerous Creole Heritage Celebrations; supported publications authored by Louisiana Creoles, developed a Resource Library of items by and about Louisiana Creoles for use by all, and conducted genealogical and historical research. Today, the Center continues to build upon its past leadership of Terrell Delphin, Janet Ravare-Colson, Dr. Pete Gregory, Sheila Richmond, and Loletta Wynder to remain a leader in preserving, educating, and advocating the value and significance of the vibrant Louisiana Creole people and their culture.
Genealogy & Family History
Our Research Library includes:
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Celebration & funeral programs
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Cemetery, church & state records (including published transcriptions)
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Family histories (books/booklets with narrative & images)
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Over 1,200 collection folders containing family trees, birth & death records, etc.
Traces the first six generations of descendants of Claude Thomas Pierre Metoyer and Marie Therese Coin-Coin. Research conducted and compiled by Center staff. Purchase Online HERE.
A searchable, online, and crowdsourced database of verified information on Louisiana Creole ancestors born before 1951. Inclusion does not imply the person identified themselves as Louisiana Creole while living nor does the absence of an individual imply they do not have Louisiana Creole lineage or that the person did not exist.
Preserve Your Family History and Expand the Center’s Genealogical Collection by:
- Adding or Updating your ancestors in our National Creole Family Database
- Submitting a Family Chart
- Sharing your Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org trees to creolecenter@nsula.edu
- Donating items (copies or originals) about your ancestors and you – documents, recordings, pictures, or other objects
Resource Library
Our library holds over 5,000 print, audio, and visual items documenting Louisiana and other Creole lives, culture, creativity, and history. Among the highlights:
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Books by or about Louisiana Creoles and Louisiana people
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Oral histories, photographs, and recordings (especially of Louisiana Creole persons and events)
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Research folders with newspaper & magazine articles, legal documents, brochures, etc.
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Archival collections with audio/visual material and original/copy images and posters.
Note: This is a NON-LENDING library; materials are for use on-site only (unless otherwise noted). Appointments encouraged.
Publications
We produce a variety of publications exploring Louisiana Creole history, narratives, and culture.
The Creole Chronicles
A series that explores Louisiana Creole communities, celebrations, culture, and history through photographs and essays. Copies of some volumes are available for purchase.
Other Titles
Other publications include Black Churches of Natchitoches Parish, The Chronology of Louisiana’s Creole Cuisine, and Creole Heritage Celebrations: A Commemorative History, as well as the documentaries A Common Pot: Creole Cooking on Cane River and The Spirit of a Culture: Cane River Creoles. Some are available for purchase.
Support the Louisiana Creole Heritage Center
The Center relies on the financial support of individuals, business/organization sponsorships, and grants to continue our mission. Show your support and Creole pride by becoming a member or sponsor today!
Thank you to our Sponsors
- BOM Bank
- Cane River National Heritage Area
- Louisiana Consortium of Immersion Schools
- Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau
- SWEPCO
- I-49 Mini Storage (Alexandria, LA)
- Love Culture Studio & Spa
- City of Natchitoches
- Family Eye Care
- Lacombe Heritage Center
Interested in becoming a Sponsor? Download a Sponsorship Form
Thank you Creole Champions
Creole Champions demonstrate their support of the mission and work of the Creole Heritage Center through financial gifts of at least $150 per year. Their generous support provides the financial stability necessary for the Center to strategically plan and execute our initiatives each year.
