Caddo People Doing Caddo Things
Our songs, our drum, our singers and our dances are synonymous with Caddo people and culture. When we emerged from within the earth according to our Origin story and traditions, it was with drumming and singing. The "Binger Y" Caddo Dance Grounds have been the center of our Caddo universe since we arrived in Indian Territory, for over 200 years now. Murrow Dance Grounds are another established Caddo and Intertribal Dance ground. While our community is large and expands out across the world, the place of our drumming, singing and dancing is where we join our ancestors in perpetuating our traditions.
There are Caddo social dances held throughout the warm summer months at the "Binger Y." There are long standing organizations that have formed to promote and preserve culture like the Caddo Culture Club and the Metro Caddo Culture Club. The Annual Clara Brown Dance is held every September, and is widely attended. The Murrow Pow Wow, while intertribal, has Caddo dancing intermixed with Caddo dancing held on Thursday night.
Below is information about a few of the different Caddo events and organizations.
Caddo Culture Club
Caddo Culture Club Officers:
Chad "Nish" Earles, Chairman/President
Mason Meeks, Vice-Chairman/President
Teresa Keller, Secretary
Charlene Wright, Treasurer
Mailing Address:
PO Box 305, Binger, Oklahoma 73009
The Caddo Culture Club is an organization formed in 1988 in an effort to preserve the culture and traditions of the Caddo People.
We have appeared at universities, public schools, and museums throughout the United States performing our songs and dances and providing information about our history as well as modern activities. In the past year, we have appeared at many local events as well as event all across Oklahoma Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Some of our events include:
- The Annual Caddo Culture Day event at the Caddo Mounds Site near Alto, Texas.
- The yearly Caddo Conference held at different locations across Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
- Our Annual Dance is held yearly on the third weekend of June at the Caddo Nation Dance Grounds.
The Caddo Culture Club meets every 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at the Caddo Nation Cultural Building at 7:00PM to discuss upcoming events and activities. Members usually bring a covered dish for potluck and we practice our traditional Caddo singing and dancing after the meeting. The Caddo Nation’s Cultural Building is located 5 miles east of Binger, Oklahoma or 15 miles north of Anadarko, Oklahoma at the intersection of Highways 152 & 281. Our meetings are open to the public and everyone is invited to attend.
Annual Clara Brown Dance
The Clara Brown Dance is held in loving memory of Clara Brown and Haskell Brown and all our loved ones that are gone but not forgotten. Every year Charlene Wright and family honor the elders. Honorary elders selected over the years include: Merle Keyes, Vermona Collins, Randlett Edmonds, Donna Spaulding, Lyman Kionute, LaRue Parker, Buntin Williams, Majorie Botone, Catherine Proctor, Cecile Carter, Billie Ruth Hoff, Leatha Sifford, Maxine Keyes Pickering, Alberta Beaty, Mary Lou Davis, Gertrude Wilson, and Juanita Keyes.
Saturday morning the “Myron Beaver Annual Bow Shoot”is held in conjunction with the Annual Clara Brown Dance. The bow shoot was to honor a man and give bow shooters a chance to show their skills and help keep a tradition alive.
The bow shoot is divided into three divisions, the Primitive-30 yards, Traditional-40 yards, and the Compound-60 yards. The archers start at different distances, according to their division. After each round, grocery items are awarded to the winner in each division. A meal is served to the participants and guest. If you would like to attend the Annual Clara Brown Dance or participate in the Bow Shooting the future, please contact Charlene Wright.
Metro Caddo Cultural Club
Founded in 2008, The Metro Caddo Cultural Club is a non-profit organization, incorporated in the State of Oklahoma in September 2010. Our mission is to preserve Caddo cultural history and traditions and to educate others about Caddo culture. In particular we wish to teach younger Caddo about our culture and to bring the elder and youth together. Our highest priority is to educate our Caddo people and to be of service to the community.
Board of Directors
Jeri Redcorn – President
Yonavea Hawkins – Vice-President
Kricket Connywerdy – Secretary
Jennifer Wilson – Treasurer
Donna Williams – Member
Genny Deer – Member
Terry Ragland – Member
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