State recognized tribes face greater oil spill risks

State recognized tribes face greater oil spill risks

By Rob Capriccioso

Story Published: Jun 4, 2010

In a May 19 photo, Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser and La. Gov. Bobby Jindal toured through the Roseau Grasses that mark the coastline of Southeast Louisiana at Pass a Loutre at the mouth of the Mississippi River where oil washed ashore.

NEW ORLEANS – Already ravaged by hurricanes and erosion, coastal Louisiana tribes are now suffering immediate threats from the infamous BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Getting government help is proving difficult for some, as many of the most harmed tribes have not been recognized by the federal government.

“It’s a dark day for our people,” said Brenda Dardar-Robichaux, principal chief of the United Houma Nation. “We’re being hurt economically, environmentally and culturally. … It’s a total assault on who we are, our way of being.”

The United Houma Nation is a state recognized tribe with approximately 17,000 members who live in a six-parish area, many along the coastline. Members of the tribe have been in the region for thousands of years, subsisting off the land and water, while passing their traditions on to each new generation.

Fishing is a major source of sustenance for hundreds of Houma citizens, helping them to feed their families and make a living. Many are worried that their main source of livelihood will be curtailed for years to come as a result of the BP spill.

Oil from the leak, which began April 20 and has no end in sight, has already clouded some revered fishing areas, and many wetlands further inland are in danger as well. Plants used in traditional medicines and basket weaving materials are also at risk of being lost.

The threat is all the worse due to coastal erosion spurred on by the four hurricanes that have affected the region in recent years. Plus, much of the coastline has already been altered due to oil industry development. As a result, wildlife that was once native to the area has disappeared in some cases, locals say.

“It’s sort of a love/hate relationship we have with the oil companies, as many of our members rely on them for work, but they also see the impact the companies have had on the area over the years. This latest spill makes that impact all the more difficult,” Dardar-Robichaux said.

The Houma Nation is one of several tribes facing an uphill battle. Most tribal citizens in immediate danger are members of state recognized tribes; there are 10 in Louisiana, and four federally recognized ones.

Kendra Barkoff, a spokeswoman for the Department of the Interior, explained that as of June 2, federally recognized tribes seemed to be free of oil complications. She said the agency has received “no reports that federally recognized tribal natural resources are impacted by the spill.” She added that Interior has reached out to all federally recognized tribes in the region, including those from Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.

Shin Inouye, a spokesman for the White House, said tribal leaders have been receiving updates from the White House, and have been invited to participate in update calls with government officials.

State tribes, meanwhile, have been left more to their own devices, with some even trying to work with BP itself to lend a hand.

Dardar-Robichaux noted that the lack of federal recognition has been especially painful for some members faced with this crisis, given that oil companies once petitioned the BIA against recognition of the tribe.

But the tribal community is not sitting still. The chief reached out to the Commerce Department, specifically its Native American-focused division, to see if there was anything it could do.

Don Chapman, senior advisor on Native American affairs at Commerce, explained that through his office, along with Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Economic Development Administration, the department is working with the Houma by establishing local meetings to provide access to support and sustainment programs.

“We’ll take whatever help we can get,” Dardar-Robichaux said. She’s also been meeting with state and federal legislators.

The Pointe Aux Chenes Indian Tribe, another of Louisiana’s state recognized tribes, is doing what it can to get by without federal assistance. It’s made up of about 700 members whose ancestors resettled to the state more than 100 years ago.

Tribal Chairman Chuckie Verdin has been spending many long and hard hours on his boat, making himself part of the effort to establish booms in his area to prevent further inland oil destruction.

“All of our members desperately want to help stop the spill,” said Patty Ferguson, a tribal attorney and member. “They know the bayous and marshlands; they have valuable insight to offer.”

Ferguson said oil started leaking into the community May 30, leaving many members scared and worried about the future.

“It’s hard because we can’t work directly with the federal government or agencies due to our status,” Ferguson said. “If we were federally recognized, we would have more direct contact, and could make sure we are included in recovery plans, expressing our concerns along the way.”

Dardar-Robichaux said her people are more than willing to help in the clean-up and prevention efforts, but she’s also worried about the safety of tribal members who may come into contact with hazardous materials.

“We need them to be protected, and they need to be able to get proper training.”

On the larger issue of whether offshore oil drilling should be stopped altogether, which some tribes are advocating, Dardar-Robichaux said she is most concerned that the oil industry and government officials become better stewards of the land and water.

President Barack Obama had some Native Americans in the region paying heightened attention to his own commitment to the land and water when he held a press conference May 27, focused largely on the spill and the government’s response.

“I grew up in Hawaii,” Obama said at one point, “where the ocean is sacred. And when you see birds flying around with. … with oil all over their feathers and turtles dying. … this speaks to, you know, how are we caring for this incredible bounty that we have?”

Dardar-Robichaux said that many members are relying on their own sacred ideals, given this latest challenge.

“We are always willing to ask for prayers. They have gotten us through many times before, and they will get us through again.”