LOUISIANA’S COASTAL TRIBES APPEAL FOR HELP
by Naomi Archer
Unique Cultures On Edge of Extinction From Storms, Neglect
Southern Louisiana –
Four of Louisiana’s coastal Native American tribes issued an urgent appeal for
support in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Despite the buzz of
recovery activity in New Orleans and other parts of the Gulf coast, tribal leaders
say they have been forgotten and their people continue to suffer:
We understand the focus of the nation has been on the New Orleans area
in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. But the smaller communities,
especially the American Indian communities, are still in dire need. We are
grateful for all the donations that have been received, but the amount is
only enough to work on a few houses in each community. Much more
money is needed for our recovery efforts. If we do not get additional
support, our cultures will be lost.
The four tribes who issued the appeal are the Bayou Lafourche, Grand
Caillou/Dulac and Isle de Jean Charles Bands of the Biloxi-Chitimacha (BCCM)
as well as the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe (PACIT). Located in Terrebonne and
Lafourche Parishes, their small communities, situated on high ridges that extend
like fingers into Louisiana’s coastal wetlands, are reeling from years of socioeconomic neglect, coastal land loss, and an absence of storm relief assistance.
“We are appealing to the foundations and large donors to support our recovery
efforts,” said Randy Verdun, Chief of the Bayou Lafourche Band of the BiloxiChitimacha. “It’s a call to action, a call that we hope is heard. Help us preserve
our distinct cultures and traditions. Without help, they will surely be lost.”
On the forefront of Louisiana’s much publicized land loss, tribal communities that
were historically dry are now flooding even during small storms. Land that once
held gardens and pastures has become salt marsh or open water. Because of
continued flooding and lack of resources to repair and raise homes, tribal
members are leaving the traditional communities, causing dispersion of culture
and tribal cohesion.
“There is no money and no materials. We don’t want to lose all our people,” said
Albert Naquin, Chief of Isle de Jean Charles Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha. Once
thriving, Isle de Jean Charles, or The Island, has become marshland marked by
skeletons of dead oaks and abandoned houses.
Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe Co-Chair Donald Dardar added, “All of our homes
have to be raised. We need money to elevate these homes.”
Raising homes onto stilts would prevent flood damage but costs begin at around
$25,000 per home. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, up to 80% of Native
Americans in the area live below the poverty line, and few move on to college.
Income supported by traditional fishing is also threatened by cheap imported
seafood and rising fuel costs. Few have the funds to raise homes.
“Help! Help! Help!” Exclaimed Marlene Foret of the Grand Caillou Dulac Band of
the Biloxi Chitimacha, the largest of the four tribes. “We need all the things that
make homes livable- building supplies, bedding, appliances, and furniture.”
Terrebonne Parish estimates that 10,000 homes were flooded by Hurricane Rita.
Most of these were in the lower bayou where the Indian communities are located.
Additional homes in Terrebonne and Lafourche received wind damage from
Katrina. While some storm relief has come in, only a handful of relief
organizations are working with the tribes.
Four Directions Relief Project is one such organization. Created in early October
to support the needs of the bayou tribes, Four Directions has helped to facilitate
food and material donations as well as volunteer workers for trash pick-up and
home repair.
“With everyone focused on the city of New Orleans, we don’t get numbers of
volunteers or large financial donations,” said Four Directions Coordinator Naomi
Archer. “The people who live here are proud and determined, but their
determination can only go so far when there aren’t the resources or skilled
volunteers to rebuild.”
Federal storm relief has also been minimal. Red Cross distribution ended months
ago, insurance checks are slow, and FEMA trailers are only beginning to trickle
in to these communities. For many Coastal Indians, basic housing is being
denied by FEMA red tape or bureaucratic technicalities.
“The thing is, if FEMA can’t put a trailer [at a house] because the sewage system
isn’t just right, then why can’t they make it right for these people?” Chief Albert
said angrily.
While the relief effort moves at a snail’s pace for the tribes, community members
are forced to live in moldy homes with leaky roofs. Some homes are filled with
extended family members or other families. Spare money just isn’t there for the
extensive home repairs or to buy new furniture and appliances. People are
talking about moving away to avoid the same thing all over again.
PACIT Chairman Charles Verdin added, "Knowing we have to go through it again
- it's tough."
TO MAKE A DONATION OR PROVIDE GRANT INFORMATION to the affected
tribes or to the Four Directions Relief Project, please contact the following
persons:
Isle de Jean Charles Band of the BCCM, call Chief Albert Naquin at (985) 2321286.
Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of the BCCM, call Chairwoman Marlene Foret at (985)
594-6593.
Bayou Lafourche Chief Band of the BCCM, call Chief Randy Verdun at 225-4858765.
For all three bands of the BCCM, call Secretary Sharon LeBouef at (225) 2354812.
Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe, call Chairman Charles Verdin at (985) 856-5336.
Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe, call Second Chair Donald Dardar at (985) 6888145.
Four Directions Relief Project, call Naomi Archer, Coordinator, at 828.230.1404.