The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana is celebrating its past with a vision for the future.

On Tuesday, tribal members invited casino associates and the general public to learn more about its unique culture, traditions and spoken language during the 3rd annual Koasati Heritage Day at the Coushatta Casino Resort. The event aligns with Native American Heritage Month.

“We started this two years ago as a way for our employees and others to learn more about our heritage and the people they work for,” Casino Training and Travel Development Manager Kristen Johnson said.

The event allows the local tribe to tell their story in their own words and in their own way, she said.

“We want to educate others about our heritage, have them talk to our elders and see demonstrations of our basket weaving, beading and language in an effort to learn just a little bit more about the Coushatta Tribe,” Johnson said.

“It’s very important that we share our heritage because it is getting so lost now,” she continued.

The Heritage Day event included dance and drum performances and basket weaving and beading demonstrations. Visitors also sampled traditional Native American food including chawahka (corn soup) and fry bread, while learning about stickball, herbs and medicine and experiencing storytelling spoken in the Coushatta language.

Leola Sylestine was among the Coushatta Tribe elders who showcased her various artwork including basket weaving and beadwork.

At 76, Sylestine has been making baskets from pine needles and raffia since she was a little girl.

“It’s something we need to pass down through the generations,” she said.

Lucia Alfaro has also been making baskets since she was 8-year-old.

“It defines who we are and lets us share the beauty we can make out of natural resources,” Alfaro said as she worked on a small basket.

Alfaro, who learned the trait from her mother and grandmother, has been able to trace basket weaving back to four generations of her family, but knows there are probably other family ties to the tradition.

Tribal member Janie Guillory is a self-taught bead worker.

“I’ve really always been interested in art and finding ways to use what comes from nature,” she said. “There are so many different types of bead work and I like to see what people are able to do with beads and a needle.”

Guillory said it is important that Native American traditions like beading continue to be shared with future generations.

“It’s important because it keeps us connected to our history and culture,” she said.

Eleven-year-old Kohen Guillory recently began researching and learning about his past.

“It’s important because it is a part of my life and I want to learn more about it,” Guillory said.

He has spent time talking to elders, including his grandfather who still grows his own rivercane to make baskets, to learn as much as he can about his heritage and all the history that comes with it.

Coushatta Tribal member Raynella Fontenot explained the importance of traditional tribal dances in honoring the Creator and tribal leaders.

“In Koasati culture the eastern direction is important to us and is recognized throughout many of our cultural practices,” Fontenot said. “It signifies the rising of the sun and the placement of the tribal leaders at every event.”

She said dances, like the swan dance, began facing the east to honor the sun and tribal leaders.

“We greet the sun each morning and give thanks for the life and newness of our existence each day,” she said.

Fontenot said it is important for Coushatta members to continue to practice and teach the importance of dancing which has been part of the tribe’s history for centuries.

“It’s a part of us and who we are and we want to continue that,” she said.

Many of the dances are done in celebration of life, to honor seasons and mark special occasions.