About the Texas Caddo Flag

A significant portion of what is now the Caddo Indian Nation once lived in the pine forests of what is now East Texas. Caddo from all over the confederation's former territory are now consolidated into the region around Binger, Oklahoma. They all proudly fly the flag of the Caddo Nation.

Considerations

It is important to bear in mind that there are now few, if any, Caddo still living in Texas. The descendants of the Texas Caddo now live on the tribal lands provided to them by the American government in the 19th century in Oklahoma. The flag of the Texas Caddo, therefore, is the flag of the entire Caddo Nation.

History

The Caddo were not originally one tribe, but a loose confederation of tribes with a common language, Caddoan. The Texas Caddoans were the Hasinai and Kadohadacho (from whose name the word "Caddo" is derived). The Hasinai lived in the area from Nacogdoches to the Neches River, while the Kadohadacho inhabited the area from Caddo Lake to the Red River. When the Spanish first encountered the Hasinai in the 16th century, they named them the Tejas, from the Caddo word for "friend." It is from this nickname that the state of Texas got its name and its motto, "Friendship." After decades of being pushed back and forth by the United States government and the Republic of Texas, the Texas Caddo were finally removed, in 1859, to a reservation in Oklahoma, along with Caddo from Louisiana and Arkansas. The Caddo officially united as a single tribe in 1874. The flag of this united Caddo Nation was designed by Billie Ruth Hoff. It still flies, in slightly modified form, over the Oklahoma Caddo land.

Features

The Caddo flag originally had a buff-colored background; today it is deep orange. On this background rests the seal of the Caddo Nation, surrounded by a circular blue border. The blue border is said to represent the journey of the spirit through life and the afterlife. At the bottom of this blue circle, enclosed in a small yellow circle, is an eight-pointed, star-like design in red and green. This is a symbol of the door to the otherworld and the points of the compass. The top of the blue circle contains the words, in black, "Caddo Nation." (Note that this is different from the original version of the flag, which read "Caddo Nation in Oklahoma.") The seal itself shows three Caddo women in 19th-century tribal dress. These women are performing the Turkey Dance, a traditional Caddo dance that is a vital part of their particular heritage. Behind them, five Caddo men sing and beat a frame drum.

Significance

The flag of the Caddo Nation serves as a uniting symbol for all modern Caddo, regardless of where their ancestors came from. It is a reminder of the long history of the Caddoan people and of their shared heritage. It flies over tribal lands and is saluted at ceremonial occasions with the Flag Song. The Hasinai Society is a Caddo organization dedicated to the preservation of traditional Caddo culture and practices through education of Caddo youth. They hold traditional dances and have an annual summer camp, where the Caddo flag is flown with pride.

Potential

It is expected that the Caddo flag will continue to fly over Caddo lands and wherever individual Caddo choose to dwell. Since the Caddo, like all Native Americans, are no longer officially confined to reservations, it is possible that the Caddo flag will increase in use and visibility in the future.