Our Tribal Crest – An Explanation
This is an explanation of the images and symbolism on our Tribal Crest.
The circle represents the Universe, the World, and the Drum.
The Canneci sacred color wheel, which moves clockwise, is:
- Tcakoóca/North: Łékra/White
- Caxáa/East: Łêtsoe/Yellow
- Cátea/South: Tátlic/Blue
- Cáea/West: Łézhô/Black.
The Canneci drop-leaf design, which sits on the outside of the circle, represents the four corners/directions, and the four Kûwa “dwellings” (or Mountains) where the Xactci reside. Each Kûwa is colored in its respective color.
The five directional Sôs/Stars represent the Xactci of the Canneci. The four directional colors and the multi-color Payas.
The Tipi represents the Southern Plains and Prairie culture of the Canneci Tinné.
The Alligator Snapping Turtle is the representation of the perseverance, resiliency, tenacity, and longevity of the Canneci Tinné. Like the turtle, they survive on land and are also capable of navigating the waterways. In out Louisiana homelands, Bayou Tortue (Turtle River) is in the shape of an Alligator Snapping Turtle!
The Horse represents the admiration and respect of the animal that helped the Canneci move around and hunt the Bison. Bison were used for food, shelter, and many other things. French historical records* estimate the Canneci at 8000 warriors; these warriors were very mobile! The French saw how the Canneci rode horses and hunted Bison, and began to use the Canneci as the first Louisiana “cowboys” on the prairies, herding European cattle.
(* Noted on the 1720 map of Jean-Baptiste Bénard de La Harpe, “Nacion des Canci”. Anthropological Report on the Cúelcahén Ndé: Lipan Apaches of Texas – Enrique Gilbert, Michael Maestas y Daniel Castro Romero, Jr., 2004)
The Bear is the representation of the Goodbear line that has kept the culture alive through all the generations of forced assimilation. We owe much to our Culture Bearers. From Chief Coco and from August Goodbear’s direct ancestral lines to the present and into the future. The Bear is a teacher of medicine and many things that the Tribe has kept in memory to this day. We honor the Bear with our Dance.
The Four Green vertical lines represent the TcicNt’iÓané which means Trees in Line Standing People.
The Four Red horizontal lines represent the GocłicŁit’xu’ne which means Red Mud People. The symbols are put together to represent the natural way the trees grow from the land and the roots of the trees holds the earth together from washing away and eroding during high water. These two bands are the ancestral lineage of the Canneci Tinné!
The Flower represents the ceremonial and religious ways of the Canneci. Stemming from Mexico to United States.
The complete emblem resembles the face of a Xactci that helps to protect its people and continues to show them the way to live in harmony on Earth.
We have not forgotten. Taá Kuxo CiKaú Nete. That is all I will tell.
