Post by Okwes on Feb 1, 2006 10:45:43 GMT -5
Senate committee examines Katrina response while tribes plead for help
BIA rescuers are honored at D.C. ceremony
Sam Lewin 1/31/2006
nativetimes.com
As a senate committee hears testimony about what went wrong during
Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, tribes impacted by the killer
storms are once again issuing a call for help.
Federal officials have also honored Bureau of Indian Affairs
employees who contributed to the relief effort.
In Southern Louisiana, leaders of the Bayou Lafourche, Grand
Caillou/Dulac, Isle de Jean Charles Bands of the Biloxi-Chitimacha
and the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe issues a joint statement saying
they "are reeling from years of socio-economic neglect, coastal land
loss, and a dearth of storm relief assistance."
"We are appealing to the foundations and large donors to support our
recovery efforts," said Randy Verdun, Chief of the Bayou Lafourche
Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha. "It's a call to action, a call that we
hope is heard. Help us preserve our distinct cultures and traditions.
Without help, they will surely be lost."
"There is no money and no materials. We don't want to lose all our
people," said Albert Naquin, Chief of Isle de Jean Charles Band of
the Biloxi-Chitimacha.
Naquin said the Isle de Jean Charles, once a vibrant Indian
community, has become a wasteland of dead oak trees and abandoned
houses.
Other tribal leaders are working to prevent similar destruction from
ever happening again. Putting homes on stilts is one option, but the
price tag starts at $25,000 per home. According to the 2000 U.S.
Census, up to 80% of Native Americans in the area live below the
poverty line. Few people have the cash to purchase the stilts.
"All of our homes have to be raised. We need money to elevate these
homes," said Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe Co-Chair Donald Dardar.
Other tribes are just worrying about their day-to-day existence.
"We need all the things that make homes livable- building supplies,
bedding, appliances, and furniture," said Marlene Foret of the Grand
Caillou Dulac Band of the Biloxi Chitimacha.
A continuing problem for tribes in the region is that rebuilding
efforts are concentrated on areas with larger populations.
"With everyone focused on the city of New Orleans, we don't get
numbers of volunteers or large financial donations," said Naomi
Archer of the Four Directions Relief Project.
The pleas for help come as a hearing by the Senate Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs Committee explores why state and federal
agencies failed during Katrina.. Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development Secretary Johnny Bradberry has told
the committee that there were no evacuations plans in place before
the hurricane struck.
The tragedy meant thousands of workers and volunteers were sent to
the region to help. Department of Interior officials say 500 BIA
employees were among the rescuers. Those workers were recently
honored.
"I'm extremely proud of the way our BIA employees pulled tighter and
made things happen in a positive way," said BIA director Pat
Ragsdale, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, during a
ceremony in Washington, DC. "Today we honor their initiative, courage
and commitment to helping others in their time of need."
Five BIA employees were selected to attend the ceremony and represent
the entire agency. The workers picked to appear included Bruce
Maytubby and Bruce Johnson of Anadarko, Oklahoma, and John Philben of
Phoenix.
BIA rescuers are honored at D.C. ceremony
Sam Lewin 1/31/2006
nativetimes.com
As a senate committee hears testimony about what went wrong during
Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, tribes impacted by the killer
storms are once again issuing a call for help.
Federal officials have also honored Bureau of Indian Affairs
employees who contributed to the relief effort.
In Southern Louisiana, leaders of the Bayou Lafourche, Grand
Caillou/Dulac, Isle de Jean Charles Bands of the Biloxi-Chitimacha
and the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe issues a joint statement saying
they "are reeling from years of socio-economic neglect, coastal land
loss, and a dearth of storm relief assistance."
"We are appealing to the foundations and large donors to support our
recovery efforts," said Randy Verdun, Chief of the Bayou Lafourche
Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha. "It's a call to action, a call that we
hope is heard. Help us preserve our distinct cultures and traditions.
Without help, they will surely be lost."
"There is no money and no materials. We don't want to lose all our
people," said Albert Naquin, Chief of Isle de Jean Charles Band of
the Biloxi-Chitimacha.
Naquin said the Isle de Jean Charles, once a vibrant Indian
community, has become a wasteland of dead oak trees and abandoned
houses.
Other tribal leaders are working to prevent similar destruction from
ever happening again. Putting homes on stilts is one option, but the
price tag starts at $25,000 per home. According to the 2000 U.S.
Census, up to 80% of Native Americans in the area live below the
poverty line. Few people have the cash to purchase the stilts.
"All of our homes have to be raised. We need money to elevate these
homes," said Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe Co-Chair Donald Dardar.
Other tribes are just worrying about their day-to-day existence.
"We need all the things that make homes livable- building supplies,
bedding, appliances, and furniture," said Marlene Foret of the Grand
Caillou Dulac Band of the Biloxi Chitimacha.
A continuing problem for tribes in the region is that rebuilding
efforts are concentrated on areas with larger populations.
"With everyone focused on the city of New Orleans, we don't get
numbers of volunteers or large financial donations," said Naomi
Archer of the Four Directions Relief Project.
The pleas for help come as a hearing by the Senate Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs Committee explores why state and federal
agencies failed during Katrina.. Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development Secretary Johnny Bradberry has told
the committee that there were no evacuations plans in place before
the hurricane struck.
The tragedy meant thousands of workers and volunteers were sent to
the region to help. Department of Interior officials say 500 BIA
employees were among the rescuers. Those workers were recently
honored.
"I'm extremely proud of the way our BIA employees pulled tighter and
made things happen in a positive way," said BIA director Pat
Ragsdale, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, during a
ceremony in Washington, DC. "Today we honor their initiative, courage
and commitment to helping others in their time of need."
Five BIA employees were selected to attend the ceremony and represent
the entire agency. The workers picked to appear included Bruce
Maytubby and Bruce Johnson of Anadarko, Oklahoma, and John Philben of
Phoenix.