By: Belinda Brooks & Joshua Johnson

 Oral History Is a very important part of the process of receiving federal tribal recognition. According to the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in Washington, D.C., to receive federal recognition, a tribe must prove that it has been together as a family unit since 1900. Butte Tribe’s proven history begins in the early 1700s. Butte Tribe of Bayou Bourbeaux’s federal petition was accepted for review by the BIA in March 2023.

For Butte Tribe, oral history was passed down from one generation of chiefs to another, beginning with Chief White Smoke to the present Chief Thunderstick, Rodger Collum. What a blessing to have that knowledge! For those who want to read our oral history, go to BUTTE TRIBE.ORG and click the Chiefs’ History tab.

The tribe is constantly on the lookout for proof of oral history. Council Chief Joshua Johnson accidentally uncovered evidence of a story that was told by Chief Collum leading to Collum’s love of horses. Council Chief Joshua Johnson relates the following story:
       

           As a proud descendant of the Desadier family, I have spent years documenting our family’s history. In my search, I recently found a gold piece of memories in a featured article from a local paper dated March 8, 1957. The article talks about the 4th birthday party held at the paternal grandparents’ home of Chief Thunderstick, Rodger Lee Collum. The article may not mean much to some, but to Butte Tribe, it documents oral history and the love and affection that Collum’s ancestors had for him.

As a little boy, I recall a story that my older cousin, Chief Rodger Collum, told me of his memories of this party. He received a special gift from our 99-year-old great-grandmother. Grandma Fee. Victorine “Fee” Flores/Carter Desadier did not make it to all her grandchildren’s birthday parties. This party was different. This party concerned the future leader and chief of the family tribe.

Grandma Fee’s attendance at this special occasion made a family statement. As the leader with her son, Chief Clarence Desadier, of the Desadier family, she delivered her great-grandson, Rodger Lee, a special gift: his first Shetland pony! Fee and her son, Clarence Desadier, knew from the time of Rodger’s birth that there was something special about that little boy’s birth. By the time of his fourth birthday, the decision had been made. Little Rodger Lee would be the next leader of the Desadier family.

From that time forward, the grooming of the future chief was in place. The child would sit at the elders’ feet for over ten years. They branded stories of his ancestors into his brain. He was not one to forget or not to protect his family. In every way, he was a leader, perfectionist, warrior, caregiver, and teacher of his people.

As for that Shetland pony, Rodger Lee took to it like a fish to water. His love for horses began that day. Our cousin, Glenda Desadier Sanders, remembers the days when all the little cousins would gather at Rodger’s house to break the pony for riding. The children were repeatedly thrown left and right for days until, finally, the pony gave in.

Traditionally, after church each Sunday, the entire Desadier family would gather at Grandma Fee’s house for Sunday dinner. Rodger’s father, Duck Collum, would hook the pony to a small wagon, load all the children, buy himself a six-pack of beer, and ride to Campti. On the way, the kids would jump on and off the wagon, picking up Coke bottles on the side of the road. They received a nickel bottle for each bottle turned in to the local country store. The route to and from Campti was a twelve-mile route. Rodger would run the whole way, filling the wagon with as many bottles as possible.

Rodger has never been without a horse from the age of four. It is no secret about his skills in riding or handling horses. He began a riding club that he managed for close to 13 years. Family and friends who rode with him and took part in the activities still have fond memories of the times spent together.

Today, Collum has a large herd of horses that carry the bloodline of the stock raised by his third great-grandfather, Joseph Desadier Jr, aka Chief Powder Face. Collum breeds Paint Tennessee Walkers. These horses have a reputation for having a calm disposition and a naturally smooth riding gait. Collum likes their flashy movement and running-walk. What the Natchitoches community sees and appreciates is the showmanship they make as the chief rides the cobbled streets of the city during the Natchitoches Christmas Parade each season.

I am honored to serve a tribe with such a wonderful, God-given chief. He loves his people as
they love him.

Are you interested in learning more about Butte Tribe’s history? Go to BUTTETRIBE.ORG and click the Chiefs’ History tab.