An Introduction To

- Louisiana Indians -

Not many people know it, but Louisiana had the third largest Indian population (16,040) in the eastern U.S., according to 1980 census information. This census information showed only North Carolina and Florida to have higher populations. Some Louisiana Indians can still speak their native languages as well as English, French or Spanish. Archeological findings date as far back as 10 to 12 thousand years before the birth of Christ.

Louisiana Indians had very fertile land to live on. They had abundant resources: game, waterfowl and other birds, fish, a variety of crops, salt domes, shellfish, bitumen (asphalt), pearls, etc. The rich Louisiana soil gave them a variety of hardwoods to work with including cedar, oak, hickory, black walnut and more. Trade routes brought in materials from as far away as the Great Lakes, Rocky Mountains and Florida.

These native peoples were known by names such as Atakapa, Opelousa, Coushata, Chitimacha, Houma, Tunica, Natchez and Koroa. After European contact, other Indians moved into Louisiana, further enriching the Indian population and culture. This contact in later years forced many Indians to move to the Oklahoma reservations or further south to the more harsh coastal lands on the Gulf of Mexico.

Much of the rich land used for farming and gathering raw materials such as cane for baskets, game and fish has been reduced by Eurocentric industry, growing populations of non-Indians and the resulting waste production. These issues are of concern to ALL Louisianians, not just the Indians. My hope is that solutions to these modern-day problems will be enacted soon. Otherwise, future generations may never see the beautiful and rich Louisiana environment as it was originally made by the creator.

Today, there are four Federally recognised nations and five state recognised nations.
Please see page 2, "Indian Nations of Louisiana" for more detailed information about the different Indian Nations.

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