United Houma Nation seeks federal recognition
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The United Houma Nation, which is Louisiana's largest recognized tribe, continues to seek federal recognition as the group gears up for its annual powwow.
Why it matters: Federal recognition unlocks funding, protections and land and water rights, in addition to sovereignty as a native nation.
The big picture: The process is long and complicated, Principal Chief Lora Ann Chaisson tells Axios New Orleans.
- They've been pushing for recognition since before World War II, according to the Associated Press. They were denied in 1994 and have been appealing ever since.
- The application requires extensive historical documentation, which the nation continues to research, Chaisson says.
State of play: The United Houma Nation has 19,000 tribal citizens, according to information from the Houmas.
- The majority live in Terrebonne, Lafourche, Jefferson, St. Mary, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes.
- The Houma people established what is known today as the French Market in New Orleans. Bayou St. John and the land at Congo Square were also important to them, according to information from the tribe.
- They can trace their history in New Orleans back to 1675. Go deeper.
Zoom out: The state has worked on exploring the indigenous history of Louisiana, with more hopefully to come, according to Carrie Broussard, the assistant secretary for the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development.
- There's the self-guided ancient mound tour, she said.
- And, there's a museum with guided tours at Poverty Point, the state's only World Heritage Site through UNESCO.
What's next: At the tribal level, Chaisson said they want to move forward with a program to teach their youth the native Houma language.
- But first, they need to fix their headquarters that was destroyed in Hurricane Ida.
Go deeper: United Houma Nation to host annual powwow