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

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