Houmas Indians (1982)
Folks

Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Newsmagazine
Place Covered: Golden Meadow, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 1982-05-13
Duration: 00:25:20
Subjects: United Houma Nation | Indian dance | Discrimination | United States. Bureau of Indian Affairs. | Native Americans | Education | Civil Rights
Contributors:
- Sexton, Sharon Elizabeth Writer
- James, Frank Photographer
- Atkins, Roy Photographer
- Bryan, William Photographer
- Sexton, Sharon Elizabeth Editor
- James, Frank Editor
- Sexton, Sharon Elizabeth Producer
- L'Herrison, Sandra Director
- Sexton, Sharon Elizabeth Host
- Cheramie, Steve Interviewee
- Billiot, Joseph Warren Interviewee
- Santini, Dora Interviewee
- Billiot, Donald Interviewee
- Campos, Jeanette Interviewee
Description
This episode of the series “Folks” from May 13, 1982, traces the history of the Houmas Indian Tribe of Louisiana. The topics discussed in this episode include: the history of the tribe; the loss of the tribe’s language and culture over time; the progress in regaining their tribal identity, including the formation of a tribal government and the reintroduction of traditional Indian dances; the discrimination faced by the tribe throughout history, especially in the areas of education and land rights; the prejudice and negative portrayal of Native Americans in the media, which led many tribe members to deny their Indian heritage; and their struggle to gain federal recognition as an Indian tribe through the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Host: Sharon Elizabeth Sexton