NSU alums Parrie, Caldwell to give book talk, reading about ‘Choctaw-Apache Voices’ series

Jan. 7, 2025

By Dr. Rebecca Riall, Associate Professor, Coordinator of American Indian/Indigenous Studies, Coordinator of Pre-Law and Paralegal Studies

NATCHITOCHES - About 50 miles from Natchitoches is the center of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb, an Indigenous community which, over the centuries, created a unique culture as it coalesced at the Spanish mission at Los Adaes and later welcomed Indigenous refugees from several tribes, incorporating ancestral cultures and Spanish influences into one distinct community centered in what is now Sabine Parish since the 1700s. The community took care of its members and lived off the land. The strength of the community kept it together even when a large part of its homeland was flooded in the 1960s to create the Toledo Bend Reservoir, abruptly changing the community's relationship to the land and sending members into the surrounding towns. Often, its story has been told by outsiders, however well-meaning. In contrast, the Choctaw-Apache book series edited by two tribal members, Dr. Robert B. Caldwell, Jr. and Thomas Parrie, prioritizes community voices.

"The purpose of the edited volume is to connect tribal members living in diaspora with perspectives of elders and community leaders in Northwest Louisiana," Caldwell explained.

Parrie and Caldwell, both Northwestern State University graduates, will speak about their work at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 in the Lucile Hendrick Room on the first floor of NSU's Student Union. The talk is free and open to the public. It will also be shared remotely. The remote access link will be posted on the Facebook page of the NSULA School of Social Sciences and Applied Programs.

The discussion is sponsored by American Indian and Indigenous Studies Minor, one of two ethnic studies programs that are part of the School of Social Sciences and Applied Programs; the Gail Metoyer Jones Center for Inclusion and Diversity, the Native American Student Association and the Department of English, Languages and Culture Studies.

"We are especially grateful that as alumni, Dr. Caldwell and Mr. Parrie are dedicated to engaging with current NSU students about the importance of producing and documenting community knowledge," said Dr. Allison Rittmayer, coordinator of undergraduate studies for the Department of English, Languages and Culture Studies.

During the talk, Caldwell and Parrie will discuss and read from the first volume in the series, which includes essays, transcribed narratives and artwork covering topics from tribal history, culture, folklore, experiences and more. The first volume was released in November 2023, and a second volume is in the editing stage, expected to be released later this year.

"Just as the hundreds of tribes in the United States has its own culture, there is amazing diversity within each tribe. 'Choctaw-Apache Voices' aims to share that diversity," Caldwell said.

Parrie earned a Master of Arts in English in 2010 at NSU and a Master of Fine Arts in Poetry at McNeese State University in 2015. His previous published works include "Toledo Rez & Other Myths," a volume of poetry. He has been an Indigenous Writer in Residence at the School for Advanced Research in New Mexico. Currently, he writes and teaches in the English and World Languages Department at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Caldwell earned a Master of Arts in Heritage Resource Management from NSU and a Ph.D. in History from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2018. His previous published works include "Choctaw-Apache Foodways," which led to his recognition by the Louisiana Folklife Commission as a culture bearer. He is a founder and active member of Ho Minti Society, a nonprofit dedicated to the vitality of Choctaw-Apache culture, and has led the Choctaw-Apache Youth Culture Camp for the past two years. He teaches at the University of Buffalo in the Indigenous Studies Department and will be teaching a class on American Indian History at NSU this semester.

"This talk will interest writers, tribal members, students and those who want to know more about communities around NSU. We hope that people will join us there or online," said Dr. Jasmine Wise, coordinator of Gail Metoyer Jones Center for Inclusion and Diversity, coordinator of Black Studies and one of the event organizers. She noted that NSU has long partnered with American Indian nations in Louisiana, from providing research support, to serving students. The university offers a tuition waiver to American Indian students who are members of federally recognized Native nations.

Enthusiasm for the event is strong on campus.

"I cannot wait to hear from the authors and engage in meaningful conversations about their work, perspectives and contributions to ethnic studies. I enjoy learning about culture and know that this experience will broaden the knowledge of all those who attend," Wise said.

The event is part of National Day of Racial Healing on campus. Brittany Broussard, NSU's director of Culture and Climate, noted, "We are honored to co-host this event on National Day of Racial Healing as it is so befitting to celebrate the rich histories, traditions and experiences of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb on this day. This event reflects the day's goal and our mission to foster spaces of understanding, respect and inclusion where diverse voices are elevated and shared."

For more information, contact Riall at [email protected]. The remote link to join the discussion is https://tinyurl.com/c4e5xfcj and can be accessed with Teams.