Caddo Nation Celebrates Annual Garden Day with Hasinai Scouts

Muddy but happy hands

Caddo Nation Headquarters, April 15, 2025 – The vibrant spirit of Caddo tradition filled the air as the Hasinai Scouts gathered for their annual Garden Day at the Caddo Nation Headquarters. This event, initiated last year in 2024, brought together enthusiastic children from the Caddo Nation child care center to engage in fun activities and deepen their connection to their heritage. 

A game of K'an K'an Kayˀ

Playing and Learning with Language  

Led by dedicated Caddo Nation teacher River Whittle, the day began with warm-up games, including a spirited round of “Duck, Duck, Goose.” Whitt incorporated essential Caddo language lessons into the fun, teaching participants the words for duck, or "K'an," and goose, or "kayˀ." The games created an atmosphere of excitement while simultaneously fostering cultural awareness. 

The children also learned about traditional Caddo plants by playing a unique cube game. Each roll led to discussions about plants such as beans, "dabas," corn, "kisí," watermelon, "k'unuˀ hasak'uh," and pumpkin, "k'unuˀ kakikásni."

Assisted by the other teachers and language preservationist Alaina Tahlate, the children enthusiastically recalled the Caddo names for each plant, showcasing their growing understanding of their cultural roots. 

Planting Roots in Tradition  

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As the day's energy continued, the kids moved on to the garden beds, where they participated in planting seeds while singing a traditional Caddo hymn called "Mother Earth," or "ina wadat." Leonard Kionute, a guiding educator, emphasized the significance of this hymn, as well as the important custom of communicating with crops during the planting process. The children diligently planted each seed in its designated spot, embodying both enthusiasm and respect for the land. Despite the strong smell of manure, their hands coated in mud, their joy radiated through the garden. 

A Delicious Conclusion  

After a rewarding day of learning and cultivation, the young gardeners gathered for a delightful dinner of street tacos. They offered a prayer and demonstrated commendable etiquette by serving water to the adults before enjoying the meal themselves. The corn tortillas were made from the previous season's corn harvest, further connecting the children to the fruits of their labor. The delicious meal was a fitting end to a day filled with education, tradition, and community bonding. 

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As the sun set over the Caddo Nation Headquarters, the Hasinai Scouts not only celebrated their roots but also strengthened their bonds with each other and their rich cultural heritage, ensuring that these traditions will thrive for generations to come.  

To continue fostering this learning experience, the Hasinai Scouts meet every Tuesday night 5:30-8:30PM at the Caddo Tribe Headquarters, where they encourage other families and their children to come learn more about Caddo culture and language.