Authentic Caddo Cultural Identity

This is an important request that should be honored.

Signed. The Caddo Nation should have a clear, commanding voice in the reconstruction efforts at Caddo Mounds. This is not only morally correct, but creates a space that would improve the center to visitors. Caddo Mounds would be a real cultural center for a living people, not a static museum for an ancient one.

I am Carded Choctaw living in the Tyler area. If I can help support our Caddo brothers let me know

Please make this as authentic as possible. There are many Caddo natives who are very gifted in Caddo art and history. Let them help

Thanks, Chase, for raising awareness about this situation!

Authenticity, though not always detected and appreciated by visitors, is necessary for the most accurate representation of history possible. We don't need a Disney-like facsimile, we don't need pretend, we need to see, hear, and know about the real life lived out in that very real location.

I support the Caddo in having a day in how things represent their own people and to have that be funded so their work in helping to rebuild isn't disrespected as unremunerated work.

Allow authentic Caddo history, arts and cultural representation for the exhibit. Let it be supervised, created and displayed by recognized Caddo tribal members.

President, Friends of Caddo Mounds

Anthropologist and Attorney Best practices, ethics, and in some cases the law require museums to involve as meaningful partners the Native nations whose cultures they purport to explain. Anything less violates anthropological ethics and runs a serious danger of misinforming visitors. In this case, it is clear from RFP that the museum is not merely running such a danger of misrepresentation but WILL misrepresent Caddo Nation culture and cultural items if it continues down this path. THC, it's not too late to do better and role model state-Native nation partnerships.

(archeologist, Arkansas Archeological Survey) Yes, I support this request. It is important - critical - to involve living Caddos in the representation of Caddo history and heritage. The museum rebuild is an opportunity to work together and to support the work of modern Caddo artists. Future visitors to the museum will benefit from this!

Please honor the Caddo Request for authenticity they Honor their traditions.Any way I can help please contact me.

I was involved in making a mat for the last renovation of the visitor center and subsequently made another mat and basket using the Caddo 4-1 twill and the Turkey design. When I was first contacted about the remodel I had a copy of design requirements for the baskets and mat. I refused to make the baskets because they were not representative of the Caddo weaving history. I did agree to make a mat, but fought tooth and nail to keep the design in line with the twill numbers that were representative of Caddo basketry. I tried to educate two project managers about Caddo baskets and hit roadblocks all the way. I would have loved to have been there for the grand opening, but the previous exhibit fabricators didn't tell me when that was scheduled as they had yet to pay me for my work. I reported them to the THC and was eventually paid. Later on my husband Steve and I visited the Caddo Mounds to see how the mat was used. We were disappointed to see that the baskets were heavy molded forms with poorly painted on designs representing unknown tribes. My weaving friends from Oklahoma Native American Basketweavers Asso. received the design plans too and felt the same way about the requested baskets. I have been in contact with a team now who seems interested in maintaining historic accuracy. I have sent them graphs of my designs using the 4-1 twill known to be used by Caddo weavers in history. I agree that Caddo artisans should be consulted and involved in this project that represents their people and their culture.

long over due

former Caddo Nation Chairman

Associate Curator of Cowboy Culture, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Education Outreach Coordinator, Arkansas Archeological Survey

No building should be put on a Caddo cultural site without the input from Caddo Nation members from beginning to end. Caddos have our own engineers, architects, historians and authentic artisans that should always be consulted at all points of reconstruction. PERIOD

Buy real Caddo art from Caddo people.

It is absolutely irresponsible to have an exhibition about the Caddo people, culture, and history and not include items from their culture. Moreover, it is inaccurate to include items from other cultures in such a space. Would you include Chinese objects in a exhibition on German history? I don't think you would and it would certainly call into question the accuracy of how the state of Texas is discussing this site, but also the other sites and museums managed by the state. There is no truer voice than that of the Caddo to discuss who they are as a people. If you have the opportunity to work with them, it is your responsibility to do so and make the best and most accurate history possible.