Hurricane Katrina

26 September 2005

Terrebonne Parish update

Thankfully the waters in lower Terrebonne parish have begun to recede. Today is our first opportunity to visit the communities affected and touch base with many of our members. Several of us working on this effort, visited the community of Dulac. It was disheartening to see the damage caused by nearly 6 feet of water. Mud and muck covers the roads and the distinction between yards and Bayou Grand Caillou are blurred. Families who have been able to get in quickly have already begun to strip their homes of ruined furniture and personal items that cannot be recovered from the wrath of Hurricane Rita.

After visiting the community, we then traveled to a local shelter that is currently housing many of our members. Over 30 families are located in 1 of the 3 shelters established throughout the parish. We were able to speak with many of them and learn their stories. Earlier today Dr. Robert McDonald, Blackfeet, with the Eagles Relief Team visited the same shelter where he administered over 200 tetanus inoculations. The families were appreciative of his efforts and we were able to offer immediate assistance for clothing, food, and cleaning supplies. Tomorrow a team of us will be returning to this community, our largest tribal community, and distributing supplies door to door. From there we move on to another community until we’ve reached everyone.

With this new development and additional families in need, we are continuing to accept donations of clothing, food, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, etc. I would like to offer a special thank you to the many organizations, communities and individual citizens who have responded to our cause. We are all overwhelmed by your generosity and support. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we rebuild our Nation.

Shrimp boat washed onto mud slicked roadway in Dulac.

A place for several tribal meetings and events, the Dulac Community Center is underwater.