T’bonne schools designate native heritage month

Next month 18,944 public school students will receive a lesson on their area and the people that were here before them – and who still call it home.

School board members approved a resolution on Oct. 19 that designated November as Native American Indian Month for the Terrebonne Parish School System.

“Since 1990 we have recognized Native American Indian Month through our Title VII Indian Education Program,” assistant school superintendent Carol Davis said. “We have a high population of Native American families in some of our areas of Terrebonne Parish.”

In Terrebonne Parish, as well as Lafourche, St. Mary, Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes, approximately 17,000 citizens of the United Houma Nation continue to reside in the land of their ancestors and generations of other nationalities that moved to the area since the 17th century.

“It brings awareness,” said Thomas Dardar Jr., principal chief for the United Houma Nation. “A lot of [people] believe the native [Americans are] extinct and don’t exist. But [a designated time of recognition] lets them know that we are still here and existing.”

The Houma people have historically stood out from other Native American groups by having been driven to the swamplands by advancing and European settlers. Then making the most of what they had, they began to survive among the bayous surrounding the Mississippi River delta region.

In past generations, Houma leaders have often had to fight for educational opportunities for their children, protection of their coastal lands from erosion caused by hurricanes and industrial use, and even for federal acknowledgment – including a now 20-year wait for official recognition from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

“We get federal funds to assist Native American children,” Davis said. “Our history, culture and heritage are related to Terrebonne Parish. During the month of November we have local Native Americans come in and do programs at the schools.”

Davis said that in addition to performances from dancers and crafts experts, the Houma history and culture would be part of the lesson plan for social studies classes.

“This is good,” Dardar said.

Tri-parish area students learn about Houma culture during Native American Indian Month, which will be celebrated throughout November. COURTESY PHOTO