INDIANS IN LOUISIANA ~~ possible gives Louisiana one of the largest states of people of Indian Heritage ~~ yet to be fully realized and recognized~~~ LENORA SEZ – Beauregard Daily News – Sunday - Feb. 29, 2004 ATAKAPA ISHAK - A FORGOTTEN PEOPLE The 2004 regular legislative session is soon to begin – March 29, 2004. This writer is very much dismayed to find that a matter very dear to her heart is still in limbo, namely, state recognition of the Atakapa Ishak, aboriginal tribe of Southwest Louisiana. Beauregard Parish is in the heart of Atakapas homeland. It encompasses all of southwestern Louisiana, from Vermilion Bayou to Galveston Bay and peaked in Rapides Parish. Based on relics that have been discovered, there appears to have been human habitation for thousands of years in Beauregard Parish as well as Vernon Parish near the apex of the Ishak’s ancient homeland. During the 2003 regular session, state recognition of the tribe was denied and HSR 21 was passed to establish criteria for recognition of Indian tribes. The writer has recently received word that the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice has not met on this matter. To quote Pat Arnould of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs: “I know this is an issue that needs to be addressed but several years ago I was told to NOT pursue criteria.” Regarding the issue, one would first question the reason for assigning the matter to the legislative Criminal Justice Committee. Would not this matter more appropriately pertain to culture, anthropology and archaeology? When HCR 150 was presented to Committee during the 2003 session, the writer was called upon by a legislator to testify on behalf of the tribe. It was a bad experience, to say the least. Prior to speaking, the writer was informed she would not be given a time limit. However, she was fully aware that it was important to be brief and to the point. Numerous interruptions were encountered that made for a difficult presentation. Another person to testify, an Atakapa descendant, was repeatedly queried about criteria and then completely cut off while attempting his presentation. Why, were we dealt with in such a manner? After all, are not Atakapa descendants also CONSTITUENTS? In mid-stream we are faced with this issue of CRITERIA. It was not an issue when the following received state recognition: Choctaw-Apache Community of Ebard; Adai Caddo Tribe; Four Winds Cherokee Tribe; Clifton Choctaw Tribe; Jena Band of Choctaw; Tunica-Biloxi Tribe; Coushatta Tribe, Chitimacha Tribe and United Houma Nation. Why now, the opposition to recognition, since a map of 1700 confirms the Atakapas as one of six Louisiana tribes at that time period. The remaining five were the Caddo, Tunica, Natchez, Muskogee, and Chitimacha. This writer is of the opinion that when the Louisiana Recognition process first was initiated, all aboriginal tribes should have been recognized so as to be included in the list maintained by the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs. From an educational standpoint the records in Baton Rouge should not exclude Louisiana’s aboriginal Indian tribes from the list of state recognized tribes. Research by students should not yield ambiguous and confusing information about Louisianas Indians. Let’s go back in our history, during the influx of settlers to our territory. The lifestyle of the Atakapa was primitive. They lacked the European way of life, hygiene, culture, and beliefs. Intruding on the Indian lands, the Europeans gave the Indians diseases through gifts of blankets, etc. The Indians had no immunity to the diseases that included syphilis. The Atakapa continued to believe he owned all of his hunting ground as far as several weeks’ walk. He had no comprehension about arpens, acres, or land claims. The final outcome was the assimilation of the Atakapa into the “colored” areas of Calcasieu and other southern Parishes. Subsequently, the 18th Congress approved the land claims by the white settlers in 1825. Since that time, the Atakapas have been subjected to neglect, deprivation and segregation. During that time in our history, we were a part of the NO MAN’S LAND that existed between 1806 and 1821. No governing authority had jurisdiction over the territory. It is doubtful that one could ever untangle evidence of what may or may not have transpired and been recorded by either the province of Texas or the government of Louisiana during this time period. The writer was able to trace her ancestor, Aaron Cherry, as one of the land claimants. Sample of his testimony: “640 acres has been constantly inhabited and cultivated to the extent of about ten acres in corn, pumpkins, etc. The claim was confirmed. Is there a valid answer as to what happened to the lands of the Atakapa? A Smithsonian scientist, Dr. Gatchet noted in 1885, a complaint from one of his Atakapa interviewees: “Strangers have come and taken all our land.” The Atakapa were not a warring people or identified with acts of scalping the white man. They were humble, peaceful, submissive gatherers and hunters. They continue to be defamed by the use of the name “cannibal,” a Choctaw slur word for them. The Atakapas ancestors have been discriminated against. When inducted or separated from the Armed Forces, they were listed as “Black.” Death certificate listed them as “black.” Their trust in the “American Vision” yielded for them forced intermingling with African descendants and forced sharing of racial designation “colored.” During WW II, an Atakapa neighbor, Alex Boudreaux of Lake Charles attained a Tuskegee Airman designation. Hence, he served as a black pilot and under a quota system for “Coloreds.” Many of us recall those historical days…”Colored only.” The Atakapa have served their country well and are productive tax paying citizens in all parts of our nation. Some attained the Ph.D. One was appointed as Ambassador to Kenya by President Carter. The Smithsonian honored the Atakapa in 1932 by publishing the Atakapa Language where we find a number of references to places with an Atakapa name such as Anacoco. The U.S. honored them by naming a vessel the USS Atakapa in WW II. Beauregard Parish has honored them with the naming of a highway and visitor’s center as Atakapa-Coushatta and with the erection of a historical marker commemorating the Atakapa foot trails. In addition, the Screaming Eagle Atakapa Mound in the western part of the parish has been registered with the state of Louisiana.. Thus, in gratefulness for this recognition, the Atakapa have made DeRidder the depository for the Atakapa history along with their artifacts. These are found no where else on display, not even at the Smithsonian. Now is the time for Louisiana to rectify past injustices against these people. Just as we are proud of our heritage, whether we are of German or Cajun ancestry, the Atakapa also deserve to be proud of their culture. The writer hopes and prays that Legislature will exercise a continuing policy regarding Native Americans as spelled out for Native American Week in LA Revised Statute 49:158.l: “It is the policy of this state to acknowledge the tribes within borders of the state, to support their aspirations for preservation of their cultural heritage…and to assist them in achieving their just rights.” One final thought: “How would you feel if you were in their Shoes?” For more information, search for atakapa ishak and click: Newsletter. My nugget of serious truth: As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:19:50 +0000
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