Middle ground for Indian land proposed

Several Terrebonne Parish Council members said at last Wednesday’s meeting that they support the parish’s proposed purchase of land in Dulac containing a Native American burial mound, which holds valuable burial artifacts and a Native American cemetery.

The land where the mound and cemetery are located is privately owned, and would cost Terrebonne Parish around $300,000 to buy.

The parish would then donate, lease, or sell the property to the United Houma Nation.

Houma resident Louise Billiot, a Houma Indian, told the council, “It’s important for all of us. We’re interested in purchasing that property. We’ve been seeking federal recognition for over 25 years. How great would it be to own the property?”

She emphasized, however, she was not speaking for the tribe.

Bayou Blue resident Thomas Dardar said, “No one will take care of the ground like we will. We will respect it to the fullest.”

“We want to help the situation so you can get control of that property,” Councilman Harold Lapeyre told Billiot.

Council Chairman Alvin Tillman said, “I respect preserving the mounds. I will support this effort. Someone owns the property. Make sure that property is in the hands of the Indian people. We have to buy the property. It won’t be donated (to the council).”

At the council’s Sept. 26 meeting, Councilman Clayton Voisin, whose district contains the mound and cemetery, proposed putting $40,000 in unspent state local government assistance money toward buying the property.

Voisin is hoping that Terrebonne Parish spending the funds will spur the federal and state governments to contribute money toward purchasing the property.

“This may be our last window to get the $40,000,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for them (Indians) to have something for themselves. If they were able to purchase the property, it could help with getting them federal recognition.”

Earlier, forensic consultant Lucretia McBride, who is a candidate for the council’s District 4 seat, said the site originally contained another mound, which was leveled in 1978.

She confirmed the property contains a cemetery.

McBride said Voisin is involved with a conflict of interest because his wife works for one of the owners of the property.

Voisin said McBride had accused him of having a conflict of interest at the previous council meeting. However, the parish’s legal department cleared him, he said.

“I consider it harassment for her to bring it up again,” he said. “If Larussa Real Estate owned it, there would be a conflict, but it doesn’t own the property.”

Council Clerk Paul Labat said Terrebonne Parish has missed the deadline this year to apply for the state and local government assistance money, but that the funds could be reallocated next year.

“We’re applying for seed money,” he said. “They’re asking for $300,000.”

After receiving the money, the parish would have two years to purchase the property.

“If other money is not generated in two years, the matter is over,” Tillman said. “But I think the money will be generated quickly once the land gets appraised. The end result will be a good one.”