NATCHITOCHES - Native American songs and dance will be performed by the Pierite family at Northwestern State University Wednesday, Nov. 4. at noon in the Friedman Student Union Ballroom. Admission is free and open to the public.

     Dressed in native regalia, the Pierite family will perform some of their traditional songs and dances to the beat of sassafras sticks and the sound of rattling gourds. Native American narration will also be part of this culturally rich performance.
 
     Donna Pierite and her husband Michael have two children, daughter Elizabeth, a bead-worker and dancer, and son Jean-Luc Pierite, a tribal crafts-man and graphic artist. Donna Pierite and her family belong to the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Marksville where she and her children are multilingual chanters. Donna Pierite, her daughter, son and brother Steven Madere wrote and produced Tawaka (in Tunica “sub-commander”), the language and culture page that appeared in the Tunica-Biloxi tribal newspaper.

     Along with her husband, children, and her brother, Donna Pierite has given presentations at schools, universities and other venues including performances at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. She has also made several televised appearances, including a featured role in “Taste of Louisiana with Chef John Folse.” In an effort to gain more exposure for the tribe’s language and culture, the Pierite Family can be seen at the Alligator Feeding Shows at the Paragon Casino in Marksville each Saturday.

     The performance is sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center and Office of Cultural Diversity to promote international cultural awareness.