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Katrina pushes Houma Indians towards cultural extinction
http://www.ww4report.com/node/1068
When a hurricane hits it don’t discriminate. But it seems like the government, the media, and society does. Yes there are a lot of people that need help. One group of people that seem to be forgotten are the Houma Indians, of Louisiana. They are not federally recognized so get not help from the Gov.
“A share of the federal money available each year to recognized tribes could have helped the Houmas lift flood-prone houses onto stilts or buy drier land for a reservation farther inland,” Dardar said.(chief of the United Houma Nation)
I have had the pleasure of being among the Houma people. Nice people, basket makers. I was well received, and treated in a very nice manner. I have found a site that is set up to take donations.
Donations can be made at this web site;
http://www.intuitivepath.org/relief.html
Bill,
No matter how high you build your house up off the beach you can never truly be safe from a storm surge such as the one Katrina had the only safe place is farther inland. A wise man said 2000 thousands years ago only a foolish man builds his home on sand. The swamps and marshes of Louisiana are also not the place to build your home….foolish. But they do need help all the people in that area need help and will for a long long time and our government and the American people should step up to the plate and provide that help. Whatever is takes! That is our motto down here on the gulf coast… whatever it takes. I would also like to thank each of you who have donated in the relief efforts things are getting better for our refugee families.
Linda
Lewis,
I live in Baldwin County, Alabama. Katrina’s storm surge even hit us it was a rough day. We had winds in excess of 100mph. But it was Ivan that really really hurt us. At the time my husband and I had 3 properties one of them was completely destroyed. One of the others had severe roof damage and a broken window and Ivan took the shed right out of the yard and we have not seen it since. Our home on Perdido Bay was not damaged at all. There was massive destruction in our town all around our home and it was not touched. It was like Ivan kissed it and moved on. Five miles from here down on the beach it was real bad. Huge condos just collasped down the road in Pensacola a whole neighborhood was completely destroyed. It was a real rough time around here. Since Katrina we have had many families here from that area. We have been taking care of them for weeks now. Some have gone home but many are still here. Our hearts go out to them because just 1 year ago we were in the same position. In fact even today you can drive down Perdido Beach Dr. and there are still buildings with gaping holes in them. It is hard to imagine a hurricane worst them Ivan the terrible but Katrina was…..big sigh. Your right though I’d have to say except for my home state of North Carolina this place down here is Indian country. In fact one of my Creek friends threaten to tag team me today with my son if I brought him just a t shirt back from the Bahamas. My husband and I are heading out tomorrow on vacation this year it’s the Bahamas. Next year I’m hoping for Nottoway country. Southampton county Virginia and Hertford County North Carolina…..
Linda
No, I don’t know any Mowa Creeks. I know some Perdido and Poarch Creeks. Here in my town are many Perdido Creeks and the Poarch Creeks are just to our north. My friend I was speaking of is a Poarch Creek. Many of them have moved into Baldwin County because our economy is better and it’s easier to make a living here. Most of them live in and around Summerdale, Alabama which is 10 miles to the northwest of us here in Lillian. Lillian has quite a big number of Perdido Creeks we are right on Perdido Bay. My step daughter is Creek through her maternal grandfather…then Cherokee and Blackfoot through her father. I am Cheronhaka (Nottoway).
Linda
Hello, well I don’t think that the Houmas will dissapear anytime soon, they’ve been there for several hundred years (after leaving Ms and the boot of La).
There’s so many that the Fed’s are asking them to divide up into smaller bands!
The Chitimacha were blasted with 60mhr winds from Katrina but not much else they’re a ways away from it this time.
The Lacombe Choctaws are scattered but friends tell me most are fine and besides perpetually cleaning up they are safe, thier kin folk to the east are aswell.
Of course like all folks these La. groups are getting on with life, recognition for those who need have it, the others may not even want it, the Lacombe folks are still Acolapissa/Choctaw!
Hey lewis, well I wouldn’t be so bold as to guess, the tribal movements thro’ that part of La. is like a spider web if you were to draw it out.
I do know that there is some Osage/ Choctaw people near there.
In the past there has been many groups from the Natchez and Chickasaw to Cherokees, really early.
At one time many of the Texas Cherokees may have moved through there.
These days I have heard of even the Avoyel resurfacing, not long ago so did the Apalache,and the Atakapa people.
If you’d really like to find out who can help you, contact the Nw state University in Natchitoches La. and look up Dayna Bowker Lee or Dr. H.F. Gregory for assistance.
I hope that this helps Lewis, all the best.
Hey lewis, no you didn’t offend me!
My families oral history is Blackfoot Cherokee or just Cherokee depending on the generation, sometimes Sioux.
Anyway, I live in Canada and Pete has helped me a great deal, someone that I count on from time to time!
I would suggest that you do some genealogical research into census records etc.
Regarding a web site simalar to Saponi Town, from what I know and that’s not much this is it, I really believe that there should be sites like this for all tribal groups!
Maybe you could start a Louisiana Choctaw site!
Iam happy that you are here and I do hope to here more about your dna test.
All the best .
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