Post by Okwes on Sept 6, 2006 17:15:02 GMT -5
Houma tribe's recovery featured in documentary
HOUMA, La. -- A new documentary shares the emotional stories of how Houma Indians dealt with the devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Through a series of interviews, the 17-minute documentary titled "Bayou Landfall: The Houma Nation vs. the Hurricanes" illustrates how the Untied Houma Nation has tried to overcome a number of obstacles while rebuilding their homes and community. The film also aims to raise awareness about the tribe to people unfamiliar with their story.
Of the 16,000 members of the United Houma Nation, 4,000 suffered losses from Katrina in the New Orleans area and another 4,000 were affected by Rita in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.
"It's exceptional," Brenda Dardar Robichaux, United Houma Nation principal chief, said about the film. "It's filled with very touching stories. Some tribal members lost everything. With the music and photos it's touching. I got teary eyed while watching it."
The documentary was produced by Leslye Abbey, a New York-based psychotherapist and cultural social worker, who has become friends with several Houma tribe members.
The first version of the film is finished, but Abbey said it's still a work in progress. She plans to add more scenes this fall to make a longer version.
Robichaux said Abbey visited in previous years to talk with her and other residents. After Katrina, Abbey decided she wanted to document the stories of residents and volunteers as they struggle to rebuild physically and recover psychologically from the storms.
The bulk of "Bayou Landfall" is made of voices of the people talking about what it takes to rebuild, Robichaux said. Abbey talked with tribal leaders, firefighters, volunteers and residents left homeless from the storms.
"It's professionally done and an accurate portrayal," Robichaux said.
In a recent phone interview, Abbey said she originally intended the film to be a short promotional piece to help the tribe with fundraising efforts. But after visiting in October, she realized it should be a documentary.
The film starts with a collection of photographs showing poverty in southeast Louisiana. The photos of children is accompanied by music from the Thunderbird Sisters' "Calling My Children Home."
The documentary provides a brief history of the tribe and the plight they find themselves in today, including the decades-long struggle to be recognized as an American Indian tribe by the federal government.
The film was shown at the Long Island International Film Expo July 13. Abbey said it received the festival's humanitarian award.
"People watching it had no idea about this tribe," Abbey said. "It's a small tribe, and people had never heard of their story."
Robichaux and Abbey said they hope the film helps spread awareness of the plight of the Houma Nation. While the national media has concentrated on recovery efforts in New Orleans, there has been little mention of how the storm impacted Indian communities.
Abbey plans to visit again in September or October to work on making a longer version of the documentary. The new portion will provide a more in-depth look at the history of the tribe and what life is like a year after the storm.
"This is being done for the people," Abbey said. "They deserve federal recognition."
In an effort to educate and enlighten people about other cultures, Abbey has traveled around the world to discover stories that need to be told. She said she's been interested in American Indians and particularly wanted to learn more about the Cajun culture and problems south Louisiana tribes are facing.
She said that is illustrated in the documentary as well as her other Louisiana-based video "Angels of the Basin," which outlines some of the political and environmental issues residents face.
___
For More Information:
Snowflake Video productions, www.snowflakevideo.com
www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=5346293
HOUMA, La. -- A new documentary shares the emotional stories of how Houma Indians dealt with the devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Through a series of interviews, the 17-minute documentary titled "Bayou Landfall: The Houma Nation vs. the Hurricanes" illustrates how the Untied Houma Nation has tried to overcome a number of obstacles while rebuilding their homes and community. The film also aims to raise awareness about the tribe to people unfamiliar with their story.
Of the 16,000 members of the United Houma Nation, 4,000 suffered losses from Katrina in the New Orleans area and another 4,000 were affected by Rita in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.
"It's exceptional," Brenda Dardar Robichaux, United Houma Nation principal chief, said about the film. "It's filled with very touching stories. Some tribal members lost everything. With the music and photos it's touching. I got teary eyed while watching it."
The documentary was produced by Leslye Abbey, a New York-based psychotherapist and cultural social worker, who has become friends with several Houma tribe members.
The first version of the film is finished, but Abbey said it's still a work in progress. She plans to add more scenes this fall to make a longer version.
Robichaux said Abbey visited in previous years to talk with her and other residents. After Katrina, Abbey decided she wanted to document the stories of residents and volunteers as they struggle to rebuild physically and recover psychologically from the storms.
The bulk of "Bayou Landfall" is made of voices of the people talking about what it takes to rebuild, Robichaux said. Abbey talked with tribal leaders, firefighters, volunteers and residents left homeless from the storms.
"It's professionally done and an accurate portrayal," Robichaux said.
In a recent phone interview, Abbey said she originally intended the film to be a short promotional piece to help the tribe with fundraising efforts. But after visiting in October, she realized it should be a documentary.
The film starts with a collection of photographs showing poverty in southeast Louisiana. The photos of children is accompanied by music from the Thunderbird Sisters' "Calling My Children Home."
The documentary provides a brief history of the tribe and the plight they find themselves in today, including the decades-long struggle to be recognized as an American Indian tribe by the federal government.
The film was shown at the Long Island International Film Expo July 13. Abbey said it received the festival's humanitarian award.
"People watching it had no idea about this tribe," Abbey said. "It's a small tribe, and people had never heard of their story."
Robichaux and Abbey said they hope the film helps spread awareness of the plight of the Houma Nation. While the national media has concentrated on recovery efforts in New Orleans, there has been little mention of how the storm impacted Indian communities.
Abbey plans to visit again in September or October to work on making a longer version of the documentary. The new portion will provide a more in-depth look at the history of the tribe and what life is like a year after the storm.
"This is being done for the people," Abbey said. "They deserve federal recognition."
In an effort to educate and enlighten people about other cultures, Abbey has traveled around the world to discover stories that need to be told. She said she's been interested in American Indians and particularly wanted to learn more about the Cajun culture and problems south Louisiana tribes are facing.
She said that is illustrated in the documentary as well as her other Louisiana-based video "Angels of the Basin," which outlines some of the political and environmental issues residents face.
___
For More Information:
Snowflake Video productions, www.snowflakevideo.com
www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=5346293