Collection:LPB

Genre: Documentary

Place Covered: Pointe-Aux-Chenes, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2022-01-31

Duration: 00:58:12

Subjects: Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe | COASTAL EROSION | Hurricane Ida, 2021 | French language | Environment | Native Americans

Contributors:

• LeBlanc, Drake Host
• Johnson, Ben Producer
• Ferguson-Bohne, Patty Interviewee
• Verdin, Christine Interviewee
• Kelley, Laura Interviewee
• Billiot, Alex Interviewee
• Naquin, Russell Interviewee
• LeBeouf, Geneva Interviewee
• Johnson, Ben Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana Spotlight” from January 31, 2022, focuses on the challenges facing the Pointe-Au-Chien Indian Tribe in the town of Pointe-Aux-Chenes in Terrebonne Parish. The first segment features a look at the people of the tribe, their way of life, the impact of land loss on their community, and their decades-long fight for federal recognition. It includes interviews with Patty Ferguson-Bohne, a tribe member and lawyer for the tribe, and Christine Verdin, a member of the tribal council. Next, host Drake LeBlanc interviews Dr. Laura Kelley, a professor at Tulane University and the tribal historian, who discusses her role in helping the tribe to gain federal recognition. The next segment features a look at the impact of Hurricane Ida on the town of Pointe-Aux-Chenes and the future of the tribe. It includes interviews with tribe members Alex Billiot, Russell Naquin, and Geneva LeBeouf. LeBlanc then interviews Ferguson-Bohne, Verdin, and Billiot. They discuss: growing up in Pointe-Aux-Chenes; the loss of the tribe’s native French language; the impact of coastal land loss; the lack of government help following Hurricane Ida; their future in Terrebonne Parish; and the timeline for their efforts to gain federal recognition. Lastly, LeBlanc interviews Ben Johnson, the show’s producer, who discusses his experience in producing the show.