The Hurricanes
not only impacted the homes of tribal members but the economic base for tribal members. Most tribal members engage in
traditional subsistence rely on the crab, shrimp, and/or oyster industry for income.
Hurricane system interrupted this economic generator and has resulted in an income loss that usually sees tribal members
through the winter.
The Pointe-au-Chien
Indian Community is not protected by a levee system. It is unclear when a levee
system will be in place. Ironically, the nonIndian communities to the east and
west of Pointe-au-Chien are included in a levee. Progress on levee plans for
the Pointe-au-Chien area is slow, and the current plans do not include all of Pointe-au-Chien land nor does it include our
sacred sites or burial grounds.
Tribal homes
have been devastated. Although homes are in uninhabitable conditions due to the hurricane damage, no FEMA trailers have
been provided to tribal members. Some members have already gutted the walls,
exposing them to harsher conditions as the temperature drops along the bayou. Others
are living in homes that have not yet been gutted, exposing the homes to increased mold infestation.
The Tribe
is in need of building supplies, materials, volunteers to rebuild, and funds to assist the tribal members in rebuilding efforts.
To date,
the most assistance to the Tribe has been received from the Mennonites, non-profit organizations including National Relief
Charities and the Four Directions Relief Project and our friends in France.
Tribal Chairman
Charles Verdin and tribal members Monique Verdin and Patty Ferguson have been active in rebuilding efforts. Second Chairman
Donald Dardar, Theresa Dardar, and Bernice Billiot have been busy in organizing relief materials to tribal members.
Other tribal members volunteering time to relief work include Gertie Verdin, Theresa Billiot, Donald Billiot, Basile Dardar,
and many many more.
Any questions
regarding relief can be sent to verdin1504@aol.com or ferguson@sackstierney.com.
Disabled
tribal elders are the second recipients of a new home in the Pointe-au-Chien tribal community, April 14, 2007.. Press Releases
Lafourche
Couple Gets Keys to New Hurricane-Proof Home. Houma Courier, December 2, 2006. http://www.houmatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061201/NEWS/612010312&SearchID=73264945618226
Read about
the first home being built in Pointe-au-Chien after the 2005 Hurricane Season. November 29, 2006 Press Release.
Coastal Tribes
Face Erosion, Lack of Aid, The New Standard, March 17, 2006
News Standard March 17, 2006 Article
Louisiana
Coastal Tribes Appeal for Help, January 25, 2006
Press Release - January 25, 2006
Chairman Verdin's interview by John Hamilton on November 11, 2005:
http://neworleans.indymedia.org/news/2005/11/6396.php
Our neighors, the Isle
a Jean Charles Band of Biloxi Chitimacha Confederation of Muskogees are not included in the planned Hurricane Levee.
Read about this story at