Latest news with #CaddoParishCommission
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Adai Caddo Indian Nation seeks federal recognition
CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — A fascinating tale of history was brought to light during Thursday's Caddo Parish Commission meeting as an Indian nation is seeking federal recognition. Native Americans in NWLA traded ancient salt from Saline Bayou; now you can camp near the site The commissioners invited the Vice Chief of the Tribal Council of the Adai Caddo Indian Nation, Debra Garret, to speak. She detailed the centuries-old history of the indigenous tribe native to northwest and central Louisiana that predates European colonization. Garret spoke about the tribe's presence during major moments of American history, from the original Spanish explorers, to the French crown, and then the English settlers. She said documentation shows the Adai were a constant, peaceful ally to the early Louisiana colony, providing food and protection since the 1700s.' She spoke about how the buffalo, traveling from the plains through Texas over the Sabine and Red Rivers into Natchitoches, made the original natural roads of North America, which the tribe followed. 'The Adai Indians used these buffalo trails for hunting, trading, for traveling. It was on these roads that in 1549 that we met the commander of a Spanish ship. The Nunez Expedition (Narváez Expedition) that had gone really bad. There were only four survivors. We found them and we nursed them back to health. We put them on the road to Mexico City, and when Commander Alvar Núñez went back to Spain, he wrote a book about us. That was our first documentation,' Garret said. Louisiana's first permanent European settlement was not New Orleans or Baton Rouge The Adai tribe is headquartered in Robeline. The state of Louisiana has recognized it as a Native American tribe since 1976. However, it does not have federal recognition, which limits its access to federal resources and protections. The Caddo Parish Commission officially passed a resolution seeking federal status, which commissioners said secures their cultural heritage, affirms their sovereign rights, and repays their efforts in helping shape the history of Caddo Parish and Louisiana. To learn more about the Adai Indians, visit their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Caddo Parish Poet Laureate named
CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — The Caddo Parish Commission has named its next Caddo Parish Poet Laureate. Caddo Parish Commissioners selected Crystalyn Whitaker-Nelson, a Caddo Parish native, former English and history teacher, lyricist, and vocalist in the locally acclaimed music group, Tipseythe Band, as their next 2025-2028 poet laureate. The Parish of Caddo says Whitaker-Nelson will be responsible for highlighting the local community and engaging young citizens in finding their own poetic voices through local events, such as Artbreak, poetry readings, and more. Poetic X: GRAMMY category victory poets; and upcoming poetry festival Crystalyn Whitaker-Nelson's awards and titles: Juried roster of literary artists for SRAC; featured works The Colored Port Saga: Colored FaithWalk; and numerous awards, including the National Leaders of Color fellowship, The 2023 Kallenberg Artist Tower Residency, The 2022 National Endowment for the Arts subgrant recipient; and the 2021 SRAC Literary Fellowship. Whitaker-Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northwestern State University and a Master of Science in Education from Louisiana State University at Shreveport, says the Parish of Caddo. 'I am honored to be selected as the Caddo Parish poet laureate,and there is no place I know better than Caddo Parish,' said Whitaker-Nelson. 'This position is a profound culmination that allows me the platform to infuse youth and adults with tangible art that is meaningful to all, and I look forward to orchestrating poetry experiences in our communities that need the spirit that only creativity can yield,' said Whitaker-Nelson. Poet Laureate Whitaker-Nelson will receive an annual honorarium stipend of $1,500 provided by the Caddo Parish Commission over her three-year term. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Was the Louisiana ICE raid related to a pending tax vote?
HOSSTON, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—ICE detained seven employees at the TA Truckstop in Hosston, and some wonder if the incident is linked to the Caddo Parish Commission's proposed TIF tax on the truckstop. Regarding the ICE raid, Caddo Commissioner Victor Thomas said, 'This information is a distraction from what we're really doing, and what it really is a distraction is against the further development of Caddo Parish.' The truck stop is in Caddo Commissioner Chris Kracman's district. While some commissioners support the tax, saying it will help spur more economic development in the Hosston area, Kracman does not. Proposed tax in Caddo Parish sparks controversy He said, 'I'm standing by what I ran on, and making taxes higher is definitely not one of those things.' Some at a recent Hosston Council meeting questioned the timing of the illegals' detention while the Caddo Commission is debating the tax and voting on it soon. Jimmy Silvo, the developer and owner of the truck stop, says they were targeted. He said he spoke to ICE, and they told him they were tipped off by someone calling and reporting the truck stop. Attorney: Trump's mass deportation to costs billions Kracman said he knew nothing of the raid and only found out after his constituents asked him about it. If the tax passes, the developer has already drawn up a master plan for the area around the truck stop and plans to expand. He said, 'I got guys calling about an RV park and repair shop and things like that.' The proposed tax will be an additional 2% on top of the state's taxes on merchandise in the truck stop only, excluding gas. The Caddo Parish Commission is expected to vote on the truck stop tax on Thursday, March 20th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A woman takes the lead of the Caddo Parish Commission
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A woman now leads the Caddo Parish Commission. Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts of District 7 takes her seat as the commission president on Tuesday afternoon. Her fellow commissioners selected her to lead the commission in January alongside Commissioner Ken Epperson to serve as vice president and Commissioner Victor Thomas as parliamentarian. Gage-Watts was appointed in 2015 and is the fourth black woman to serve as commission president in Caddo Parish history. She has been recognized for her active role in the community, winning many awards, including the 'Most Influential Public Servant Award.' Tuesday's work session was postponed from Monday due to technical issues, and the parish said they wanted the public to know Gage-Watts was due her recognition as she officially begins her newest role. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
