The Adai Caddo Indian Nation hosted its 27th Annual Powwow in Robeline, Natchitoches Parish on October 18, 2025. The powwow is the largest festival in Robeline drawing thousands of attendees from across the country and as far away as Russia and Australia.
The day started with an 8:00 AM mass at the Los Adaes State Historic Site sponsored by the Cane River National Heritage Area. The presidio at Los Adaes, originally called Nuestra Señora del Pilar de los Adaes, was the first capital of Texas and it’s mission was the first Catholic mission in present-day Louisiana. The first mass was held there over 300 years ago. Both the presidio and mission are named for the Adai Caddo Indians (Los Adaes translates to the Adai).
Father Louis Sklar (a native of Natchitoches Parish) presided over the mass with a congregation consisting of the descendants of the original French, Spanish, and Native American settlers. Assisting Father Sklar as lector was John Mark Davis, Chief of the Adai Caddo Indian Nation.
“We were honored to attend mass at Los Adaes, a historically significant site for all people of Louisiana and Texas,” said Robert Brevelle, Tribal Councilman of the Adai Caddo Indian Nation. “Over 300 years ago, our ancestors welcomed the Spanish and French explorers. We asked our guests to build a mission so that we may worship and learn the teachings of Jesus Christ. That mission was the first Catholic mission in present-day Louisiana and named for our people [San Miguel de Linares de los Adaes]. The presidio [Los Adaes] and the second mission in Louisiana, built nearby, was also named for our people [San Miguel de Cuellar de los Adaes]. The presidio served as the first capital of Texas for nearly 50 years. And at last week’s mass, the lineal descendants of the Indigenous peoples and the Spanish and French pioneers gathered to worship. We are cousins sharing a common history, bloodline, and faith.”
The powwow was held at the Adai Caddo Cultural Center located five miles north of Los Adaes. The 80-acre complex includes a museum and ceremonial grounds. The powwow is free and open to the public. The family friendly event includes arts and craft vendors, musicians, and dancers from across the country. Father Sklar blessed the grounds at 10:00 AM and the festivities went until 4:00 PM.
Vice Chief Deb Garrett received the Chief Rufus Davis Jr. award, the Adai Caddo Indian Nation’s highest honor. The award is presented to individuals whose selfless service and actions are above and beyond all others, contributing to the protection and advancement of the tribe, its members, and legacy.
Liz Niette Williams, Patricia Niette Gilcrease, and Sandra Arthur received the Tribal Council Award for their outstanding leadership, volunteerism, and service to the tribe. Harper Danielle Davis was crowned Adai Caddo Princess by the Council of Elders, and she will represent the tribe at powwows, festivals, and other events.
In attendance and participating in the gourd dance was Chief Tom Rivers and Vice Chief Jake Rivers of the Choctaw Apache Tribe of Ebarb. Chief Rivers is also the Chairman of the Louisiana Native American Commission.
“The powwow was held historically for many purposes,” said John Mark Davis, Chief of the Adai Caddo Indian Nation. “Traditionally powwows would have been held several times a year for different purposes such as war, harvest, honor and prayer for a successful harvest or a successful hunt. Today we celebrate our powwow to honor these traditions and demonstrate our heritage with dances, crafts and traditional food.
This year’s powwow was a great success, and even extra special, thanks to the Cane River heritage group for arranging a Mass lead by Father Louis Sklar at one of the first missions and one of our original villages, at Los Adaes for El Camino Real day.
The following day, the Adai Caddo held their annual meeting at the Cultural Center. Adai Caddo Paul Vercher of Old Henly Knife & Tool Co. presented gifts of tomahawk calumets (peace pipes) to Chief John Mark Davis, Vice Chief Deb Garrett, and Councilman Robert Brevelle. Paul hand forged the tomahawks from steel salvaged from a 19th century wagon wheel found on the family’s Texas ranch. Paul did all of the woodwork and leatherwork himself. One of the calumets will be used next year at a ceremony for the Adai Caddo and the Spanish government.
