They are rated the #1 children’s dance team in the southeast. They have traveled all across the southern states performing for many schools, universities, and festivals, along with many dignitaries. They enjoy sharing their culture with the young and old alike and keeping their heritage alive. They are all champion dancers in their own respective categories. The many dances they perform include: W
omen’s Southern Cloth performed by Reta Rich, Nicole Rich, & Candice Sylestine. Girl’s Jingle Dress performed by Jean Sylestine, Cheyenne Agneux, Raven Sylestine, Madeline Klinner, and Autumn Rich. Women’s Fancy Shawl performed by Summer Burns, Kristy Sylestine, Lacy Brown and Olivia Sylestine. Grass Dance performed by Howard Sylestine, Jaron Sylestine, Dalton Burridge, and Ashton Rich. Fancy Dance performed by Russell Sylestine, Joshua Rich, Patrick Sylestine, Tacoma Sylestine, Jakan Sylestine, Hunter Burridge and Colton Burrige, Traditional Dance performed by Jason Sylestine. We have also been given permission to perform more traditional dances such as the Basket Dance, Swan Dance, Buffalo Dance and Friendship Dances. They always end their performances with the Lord’s Prayer in Indian sign language, performed by Rhonda Burridge, Southern Buckskin Dancer. These dancers are made up entirely of Lloyd & Wanda Sylestine’s, (both full blooded Alabama and Coushatta Indians) children, grandchildren, and their families. The Sylestine’s have 6 children (Curtis, Reta, Jason, Howard, Don, and Rhonda, 24 grandchildren Shay, Kristy, Jean, Russell, Summer, Nicole, Joshua, Cheyenne, Jakan, Jaron, Raven, Olivia, Lacy, Madeline, Michael, Patrick, Paige, Tacoma, Matthew, Candice, Joel, Hunter, Dalton, and Colton. The dancers are direct descendants of the Alabama and the Coushatta (Alibamo / Koasati) Indians that once lived in the area of what is now Alabama. They are also the only descendents that now reside in the state of of their ancestors. They make their home in Shelby County. The state of Alabama and the Alabama River were named after their tribe. Unfortunately our family has lost its beloved patriarch, Lloyd Sylestine and son Don Sylestine. The family still speak their tribal language which has been preserved and has survived in its purest form. The women in the family still weave pine needle baskets, a traditional Coushatta art for which it is also nationally recognized as Coushatta Pine Needle Baskets. Wanda Sylestine presented Governor Bob and Patsy Riley a beautifully hand woven basket that is now displayed at the Governor’s Mansion. The two tribes that had once originated in Alabama, now reside in Livingston, Texas at the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation. The Chief of the Alabama-Coushatta’s in Texas is also the younger brother of Lloyd Sylestine. Coushatta’s now reside in the southwestern part of Louisiana in Elton, La. Both tribes are federally recognized. Our family would like to take this opportunity to thank you for letting us share our culture with you and may God bless you.
