We have had many battles over the years. We've fought for educational opportunities, recognition by the Federal government, protection of our homelands from coastal erosion and hurricanes, and we're now preparing for the impact of the massive oil spill. The BP Deepwater Disaster threatens the health and long-term survival of the United Houma Nation communities. Spread throughout six parishes of Southeastern Louisiana, our history, culture, and livelihoods are deeply tied to water. We are a resilient people and will do everything we can to preserve our way of life.
The Houma Nation, a 17,000 member tribe, is spread out over several parishes in Southeast Louisiana.
Not even Hurricane Katrina could endanger what BP's carelessness has brought, the biggest fight to survive floating right up to their shores.
Just as the thick oil cuts off oxygen and nutrients needed for the survival of all living things from plankton to plants, the oil is seeping into the fibers of the Houma life and culture.
Survival has meant fighting a lot of elements over the years. The state recognized tribe has requested and fought since 1979 to be Federally recognized. Not having that recognition has meant denial of Federal aid that federally recognized tribes are receiving. Cut that wound a bit deeper, at one point the oil companies actually petitioned the BIA against recognition.
In a June interview, Principal Chief Brenda Dardar Robichaux
Dardar Robichaux: Making sure we have enough resources to be able to provide for our families — just basic needs of food and clothing and whatever that looks like — just basic needs of a family. ... We need manpower. We need some type of vehicle that we can provide services, such as mental health services because we have great concern for everyone, from the children to our elders, and the impact it’s having that way.A lot of our tribal citizens who are fishermen did not have opportunities for education.
The Houma relationship with the coastal waters is not just economics, but a sacred relationship. Genocide also takes art and culture. Oil is taking resources that can never be restored.
"Not only are tribal citizens both directly and indirectly dependent on the commercial fishing industry affected, but UHN tribal citizens harvest palmettos in the coastal marshes for basket weaving traditions, harvest garfish for their scales to make traditional jewelry, Spanish moss for traditional doll making and many other herbs and plants for traditional medicinal remedies used by tribal traiteurs (treaters – traditional healers). All of these traditions are in danger of disappearing once the continuing flow of oil infiltrates the inner coastal marshes and wetlands of the six parishes identified above where nearly 90% of tribal citizens currently reside." UHM
As reported by Gulf Restoration Network, the wetlands in Louisiana and along the coast had visible oil floating with hardly and clean up efforts going on. This isn't over, we know that, and the Houma's livelihood isn't coming back anytime soon, if ever.
This afternoon I spoke with a tribal member. School is starting soon, uniforms for school and supplies are needed. The tribes supply of food that is usually stocked for hurricane season is empty.
Direct donations to the Houma tribe can be made here.
Donations of gift cards and school supplies can be sent to:
United Houma Tribe
20986 Hwy 1
Golden Meadow LA
70357
As a society, the American people have decided it is important to protect wildlife and the flora and fauna of this great country through something called the Endangered Species Act. Although a bit tongue in cheek, the UHN fears that a once proud, independent people need the Endangered Native American Cultures Act.---United Houma Nation
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GULF RECOVERY BLOGATHON CALENDAR/DIARY SCHEDULE (All Times Pacific)
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(Tayo Fatunla, Freelance Cartoonist for Cagle Cartoons (West Africa), Buy this cartoon)
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