Pointe-au-Chien Indian Community Damage Report
September 3, 2008
Second Chairman Donald Dardar and Chairman Charles "Chuckie" Verdin have traveled through the Pointe-au-Chien
Indian Community documenting visible damage to each home. The assessment is not
good. Tribal leaders report that the damage to the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Community
by Hurricane Gustav is worse than the damage caused by Rita and Katrina in 2005. Almost
every house in lower Pointe-au-Chien has water (from flooding and/or wind damage) and/or wind damage. Some houses are totally destroyed; some homes were moved or pushed off of their blocks by the wind/rain. Our tribal building fell off of the blocks and many resources within the building
were destroyed. Thankfully, the two houses built by the Mennonite Disaster Service
after the 2005 hurricane season withstood the storm.
It appears that the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Community, not protected by a levee, received a huge onslaught of
water and mud that rushed in and, perhaps rushed out, causing houses to be pushed, picked up, and moved. There is still a significant amount of thick mud in the community and in tribal members' homes. As of today, the pumps in lower Pointe-au-Chien were still pumping water out of the community. Tribal leaders have been in contact with the neighboring Indian community, Isle a Jean Charles Band of
Biloxi-Chitimacha. Chief Naquin of Isle a Jean Charles has reported that the
Island is
still under water because the pumps failed.
Tribal members would like to start cleaning up, but there is no water in the Community to allow for tribal members
to begin the clean up process. It is unknown when water or power might be available. Lafourche Parish was working today to clear the mud off of Oak Pointe Road to make the road passable. Tribal
leaders expect most tribal members to return to asses the damage to their homes by Saturday.
Further complicating the situation, Second Chairman Donald Dardar believes that the local fishermen, who rely
on the shrimping season, will not have that source of income this season. Price's
Factor owned by tribal member, Price Billiot and other factories in Terrebonne Parish were impacted by Gustav.
Other tribal members living in upper Pointe-aux-Chenes, Montegut, and Bourg also received wind damage from the
storm.
An initial assessment reveals that tribal members need water, rakes, shovels, gloves, baby wipes, first aid
supplies, generators, fans, cleaning supplies, towels, tarps, building supplies, window units, hygiene products, diapers,
formula, and nonperishable food items. WE ALSO NEED A LEVEE!
Donations to assist in the relief effort can be sent to the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe,
PO Box 416, Montegut, LA 70377.
