Our 2010 Annual Fall Gathering: 09/04/2010 

Our 2010 Annual Fall Gathering; much like a Pow-Wow is our Native American people’s way of coming together in our community, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships and making new ones. This is our time to renew our Indian culture and preserve our rich heritage ...to celebrate our Native American lifestyle, culture and history.

Executive Board Advisor, Webmaster, & Master of Ceremony (M.C.) Lonnie Jacobs, welcomes everyone to our Annual Avoyel-Taensa Tribe Fall Gathering and goes on to recognize each and every one of our staff members, volunteers & elders as listed on our website's Staff Page Link, followed by introductions of our Kitchen Team, Grill Team, Vendors & DJ.

We have lots of good food here today, all prepared by lots of good people. These are Our Fall Gathering Kitchen Team Members from top (left) Mrs. Bize, Sharron Bize-Greenhouse, Ms._______________, Myrtle Jackson, Flora Jacobs-Nelson, Marsha Jacobs-Nelson and (bottom) Mable Dixon

... And Our Fall Gathering Grill Team Members
Freddie Porterie, Hillary Porterie, Michael Ford & Albert Porterie

We also have with us today... Vendors: Mr. Myron Gagnard and Mrs. Connie Gagnard, Owners of "The Wishing Well".

Also shown here (back left corner) with lots of LSU and Saints Memorabilia & other Gifts.

Mr. Myron and Connie Gagnard, Owners of the Wishing Well, are located across from the Ranch House Motel on Hwy 1. here in Marksville, La. They have lots more of the great gift items shown (above) in their Gift Shop on Location.

We also have with us today, Vendor: Mrs. Karrie Arnold (above)

Mrs. Karrie Arnold (right), is the Owner of Karen's Boutique & Gifts in Pineville, LA. shown here with a customer.

(DJ, Mr. Jimmy Antoine)

We are going to have a Guest Speaker: Chief John Vinson with us here today from Baton Rouge Louisiana to share some terrific information with us shortly ...followed by an intermission with our Tribal Bookkeeper/Finance Committee Board Advisor: Tish Hernandez - as Hostess of our Raffle, then we'll have our Tribal Chief Speaker: Mrs. Ella Coco, and finally our Chairman/Chief giving the closing speech: Mr. Romas Antoine, 

Fall Gathering Committee Board Chairman/Director: Nolan Jacobs is giving the opening prayer here to give thanks to the Lord for all that we have here today..

Wolf Clan Leader & Finance Committee Board Advisor, Mr. Charles Lee Jacobs, as he says begins to say "Grace" to bless our delicious meal. 

And now ...M.C. Lonnie Jacobs introduces our guest speaker... the accomplished Author, Lecturer & Health Practitioner... Chief John Vinson (shown below) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana

 (Chief John Vinson)

Chief John Vinson... Lecturing on the Long Spear, the Bow & Arrow and the Herbal Medicines & Foods of our Indian Ancestors.

Chief John Vinson... showing an arrow head to the audience members as he explains the design and it's uses.

 

Chief John Vinson explains the benefits of  herbal medicines like Sassafras, Milkweed, etc. Some shown here.

Chief John Vinson (far right & standing) as he gives his Lecture.

Chief John Vinson's Speach is very captivating as our Fall Gathering Committee Board Chairman/ Director, Mr. Nolan Jacobs & Vice Chairman/Deputy Chief: Mr. Paul Murray are hanging on his every word.

As Chief Vinson pauses for a break from his lecture, MC Lonnie introduces Tribal Bookkeeper/Finance Committee Board Advisor: Tish's Hernandez (center) Lunch ticket sales & Raffle Host Volunteer to start the raffle and hand out prizes. 

One of our many Raffle Winners

One of our many Raffle Winners: Fund Raising Committee Board Advisor: Mrs. Mary Veronica Fontenot-Smith

Another One of our many Raffle Winners: Trent Lehman - shown here (front & center). Other raffle winners today also included Karen Jacobs and Renee Jacobs (neither shown), just to name a few. 

Tribal Chief, Mrs. Ella Coco: Tribal Speaker, thanks everyone for coming out and gave encouragement to all members to go the distance, to be able to reap the benefits of our works for generations to come.

Mary Ford-Jacobs (left) Wife of Eagle Clan Leader/Finance Committee Board Advisor: Charles Lee Jacobs (top center), His son Jeremiah Jacobs (right) & daughter Kayla Jacobs (center), all Tribal Members

Brittany Milo (left) Bernadine Augustine-Milo, Barbara Augustine-Williams & Husband Leodis Williams

Daughter of Mable Dixon (left), Jenny Bize, Sharron Bize-Greenhouse & Mable Dixon

Buffalo Clan Leader: Ursula Dupas, Admission Ticket Sales Volunteer with her Grand Daughter

Tribal Member, Chris Jacobs, Tribal Booklet Sales Volunteer

File Clerk: Ms. Betty Ligget (above), and Mrs. Gwen Jacobs (no photo) both Dessert/Cake & Coffee Booth Volunteers.

Deputy Tribal Chief/Cougar Clan Leader, Mr. Kenneth Sylvain & Wife, Soda Booth Volunteers

Mr. John Lionel Sylvain, Tribal Member, Soda Booth Volunteer

Veterans Representative: Mr. James Francisco & Wife Delores Francisco - Both Fund Raising Committee Board Advisors - Soda Booth Volunteers

Bear Clan Leader: Tyrone Friels - Soda Booth Volunteer

Eagle Clan Leader: Philip Whittington - Sergeant At Arms/Security Volunteer

Fund Raising Committee Board Secretary - Kathy Wright-Davis

Fund Raising Committee Board Advisor - Columbus Smith

Vice Chairman/Deputy Chief, Mr. Paul Murray Looks On as Chief Antoine (below left) Prepares to Make the Closing Speech.

Closing Speaker Up Next!... Our own Avoyel-Taensa Chairman/Chief, Mr. Romas Antoine ( left) and Chief John Vinson (right)

Chief Antoine Speaks about the future of our tribe. The seriousness of it all given here was definitely awe inspiring and he gave us all something to look forward to.

M.C. Lonnie Jacobs... Says Thank you to Chairman/Chief Mr. Romas Antoine for that awe inspiring Closing Speech, as DJ Jimmy Antoine in back prepares to play some tunes for us, ...again, 

Thank You Chief Antoine.

(DJ Jimmy Antoine)

Mrs. Delia Antoine & Chairman/Chief Mr. Romas Antoine went on to thank everyone who participated here today!

Chief Antoine (left) took time out to personally thank Chief Vinson (right) and his family for coming out to help us with our Fall Gathering. Chief Vinson's lecture on Indian culture, ancestry, tribal laws, primitive weapons, medicines, foods, clothing, etc. were all very educational and our tribe hung on his every word as he gave a terrific speech.

Tribal Chief, Mrs. Ella Coco thanked our staff & volunteers for a job well done.

Deputy Tribal Chief/Cougar Clan Leader Mr. Kenneth Sylvain says we had a great time here today... My wife, our staff, the volunteers & all of our patrons did as well.

the Porterie Brothers ...Freddie & Albert, Volunteers.

Arlene Green (standing left) & Ms. Jenny Bize, Volunteer (standing right).

Fall Gathering Committee Board Advisor: Marsha Jacobs-Lehman - Lead Kitchen Team Member Volunteer Cook - Says "Great Job" to everyone!

Tribal Member, Flora Jacobs-Nelson: Kitchen Team Member Volunteer Cook said that she had a great time here today and looks forward to next year's event as well.

Wolf Clan Leader, Finance Committee Board Advisor, Charles Lee Jacobs (left) Volunteer and Tribal Member Chris Jacobs, Tribal Booklets Volunteer (right) both had a great time today and they both agree that all the food was delicious.

Fall Gathering Committee Board Chairman/Director Host, Mr. Nolan Jacobs - Well pleased with everyone who participated here today, all went well he says!