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 Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe and Isle de Jean Charles Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Take Direct Hit From Gustav Eyewall URGENT HELP NEEDED! THE SITUATION Despite the rosy media reports of light damage from Hurricane Gustav, several of southern Lousiana's coastal Indigenous communities are reeling from a direct hit by Hurricane Gustav's 115mph winds and large storm surge. Their communities lie in shambles. The communities of lower Pointe-au-Chien, home of the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe (PACIT), and the Isle de Jean Charles (“The Island”) Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Confederation of Muskogees (BCCM) are still trying to assess the severe damage and what it will take to rebuild after Gustav's devastating winds and storm-surge flooded homes, knocked buildings off their foundations, and decimated the primary source of income in the early season commercial shrimp harvest. The Island is still inaccessible due to prevailing flood waters. ( the most recent update from community leaders follows this action alert) PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW! Please assist these communities in their time of need! These communities, historically underserved and ignored, are asking for urgent donations of the following items: GUSTAV RELIEF DONATIONS CAN BE SENT DIRECTLY TO: PACIT and IJC BCCM c/o Chief Albert Naquin 100 Dennis Street Montegut, LA 70377 COMMUNITIES CONTACT 480-425-2637 Ferguson@SacksTierney.com (985) 856-5336 verdin1504@yahoo.com Four Directions Solidarity Network is also accepting donations of relief aid and volunteer assistance which will be provided to the effected communities. We worked closely with the coastal Indigenous tribes following hurricanes Katrina and Rita and have been invited to do so now. Contact Naomi Archer at 828-230-1404 or fourdirections@riseup.net for more information.  Pointe-au-Chien Indian Community Damage Report September 3, 2008 Second Chairman Donald Dardar and Chairman Charles "Chuckie" Verdin have traveled through the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Community documenting visible damage to each home. The assessment is not good. Tribal leaders report that the damage to the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Community by Hurricane Gustav is worse than the damage caused by Rita and Katrina in 2005. Almost every house in lower Pointe-au-Chien has water (from flooding and/or wind damage) and/or wind damage. Some houses are totally destroyed; some homes were moved or pushed off of their blocks by the wind/rain. Our tribal building fell off of the blocks and many resources within the building were destroyed. Thankfully, the two houses built by the Mennonite Disaster Service after the 2005 hurricane season withstood the storm. It appears that the Pointe-au-Chien Indian Community, not protected by a levee, received a huge onslaught of water and mud that rushed in and, perhaps rushed out, causing houses to be pushed, picked up, and moved. As of today, the pumps in lower Pointe-au-Chien were still pumping water out of the community. Tribal leaders have been in contact with the neighboring Indian community, Isle a Jean Charles Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha. Chief Naquin of Isle a Jean Charles has reported that the Island is still under water because the pumps failed. Tribal members would like to start cleaning up, but there is no water in the Community to allow for tribal members to begin the clean up process. It is unknown when water or power might be available. Lafourche Parish was working today to clear the mud off of Oak Pointe Road to make the road passable. Tribal leaders expect most tribal members to return to asses the damage to their homes by Saturday. Further complicating the situation, Second Chairman Donald Dardar believes that the local fishermen, who rely on the shrimping season, will not have that source of income this season. Price's Factor owned by tribal member, Price Billiot and other factories in Terrebonne Parish were impacted by Gustav. Other tribal members living in upper Pointe-aux-Chenes, Montegut, and Bourg also received wind damage from the storm. An initial assessment reveals that tribal members need water, generators, fans, cleaning supplies, towels, tarps, building supplies, window units, hygiene products, diapers, formula, and nonperishable food items. WE ALSO NEED A LEVEE! GUSTAV LASHES COASTAL COMMUNITIES Four Directions Solidarity Network Hurricane Gustav Advisory #2a (Amended) For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 Contact: Naomi Archer 828-230-1404 or fourdirections@riseup.net DAMAGE REPORTS SLOW TO COME IN FROM LOWER BAYOU COMMUNITIES REMINDER OF RELIEF EQUITY AMONG INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES Also see the Four Directions Gustav Blog! DAMAGE REPORTS Category 2 Hurricane Gustav made landfall Monday September 1st with 110mph winds near Cocodrie, LA. The coastal Indigenous communities including Pointe-au-Chien, Isle de Jean Charles, Chauvin, lower Montegut, Grand Calliou-Dulac including Shrimper's Row, Dularge and Bayou Lafourche were all impacted by the storm. We do know large trees are down and some considerable structural damage has occurred in Montegut, Chauvin, and Bobtown. Information remains sketchy for places like lower Pointe-au-Chien, Isle de Jean Charles, Grand Caillou/Dulac and Dularge where downed powerlines, trees and minor flooding have prevented a full assessment. Tribal leaders are hoping for a report back today or early tomorrow from some of these areas but as of Wednesday September 3rd, no levee failures or widescale flooding in Terrrebonne Parish is reported. REMINDER OF RELIEF EQUITY AMONG INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES While the United Houma Nation is the most well known Indigenous group, the bayou communities of Southern Lousiana are actually represented by six Indigenous tribes/bands as well as individuals from several other Indigenous nations. They six are: Four Directions is committed to ensuring equal relief assistance to all Indigenous people that are in need,and reaffirm our policy of free and equal distribution of storm aid to any person in need within the area regardless of race, ethnicity or tribal affiliation. We encourage those interesting in donating relief to ensure lesser known groups also receive enough assistance. DONATIONS We continue to create an inventory of needed items that will be posted to our website (www.eswn.org)and Gustav blog (www.eswngustav.blogspot.com). Initially, we anticipate the need for clean fresh water, healthy food that does not require cooking, and some basic medical resources followed by home repair supplies. Gift cards to Home Depot and Lowes are always helpful. A mailing address will be added ASAP. We are seeking additional operating funds and a fund for relief supplies. Secure monetary donations can be made through Cloud Forest Institute (our fiscal sponsor) at Network For Good. **You must designate Four Directions Solidarity Network as the intended recipient on the form. Interested volunteers and other donors may contact Naomi Archer at 828-230-1404. or by email to fourdirections@riseup.net  | culture |
GUSTAV DONATION AND CONTACT INFO: Donations can be sent directly to: PACIT and IJC BCCM c/o Chief Albert Naquin 100 Dennis Street Montegut, LA 70377 COMMUNITIES CONTACT 480-425-2637 Ferguson@SacksTierney.com (985) 856-5336 verdin1504@yahoo.com Four Directions Solidarity Network is also accepting donations of relief aid and volunteer assistance which will be provided to the effected communities. We worked closely with the coastal Indigenous tribes following hurricanes Katrina and Rita and have been invited to do so now. Contact Naomi Archer at 828-230-1404 or email to fourdirections@riseup.net for more information.  We do not accept US government grants. That means we are dependent upon donations from individuals and groups just like you who support the self-determination of Indigenous communities and the preservation of the traditional languages and cultures which keep native people strong. We urgently need your help. Donate today! It's tax-deductable and our work produces clear results that you can be proud supporting.  FOUR DIRECTIONS CALENDAR 2008 |
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