LOUISIANA INDIAN HISTORY
At different times there were about 40 different Native American tribes in Louisiana. Some of them were
here as far back as can be remembered. Some came here because of repression or misuse elsewhere
by one or another European settlers. Some migrated here because they favored France and then
England took over the area in which they lived. Some tribes became very small and had to align
themselves with another tribe.
Most Indian tribes had not kept written records. The only written records we have were made by the
Europeans who came through or settled here. The record will be somewhat biased. The references to
individual states are to present boundaries of those states. In the early references these states did not
exist.
At least by 2000 BC there was activity around Poverty Point. Archeology indicates there was a strong
civilization there. Much of a huge mound in the shape of a bird still exists although Natives were no
longer there by 600 BC. Grand Isle area formed by 700 BC. By 600 BC the TCHEFUNCTE lived in scattered
settlements along the Louisiana coast. By 200 AD the TCHEFUNCTE were no longer there. At an early
time one of the more ancient sites is an ancient CHAWASHA ceremonial mound. This mound was along
the SW Louisiana Coast. Little of it remains.
About 800 AD to 900 AD The CADDO tribe began to migrate from Texas. By 1669 the CADDO confederacy
included many different nations. Sometime in the eighteenth century the CADDO tribe was located near
Natchitoches, Louisiana. The CADDO group included the ADAI, DOUSTIONI, NATCHITOCHES, OUACHITA,
and YATASI. In 1669 Various CADDO groups were located near Natchitoches, Mansfield, Monroe and
Robeline all in Louisiana. We are told that the CADDO moved so they could be near the place they
marketed their goods.
By 1716 more nations had been added to the CADDO Confederacy. In 1779 CADDO chiefs sought the help
of the Spanish Governor in New Orleans to prevent invasions into their territory. Apparently the help did
not work. Sometime around 1798 the CADDO moved south to avoid OSAGE raids
Very early in the nineteenth century there were 102 ADAI living in Louisiana. They spoke CADDO as well
as French. By 1812 the British and the USA were at war again. The CADDO’s allegiance was to the USA.
During this war the CREEK nation attacked the USA and attempted to shift the allegiance of other tribes
to the British.. At this time Louisiana was admitted to Union as the 18th state.
In 1824 the QUAPAW ceded their land and were forced to move to land of the CADDO and become a part
of their tribe. Within a year the QUAPAW gave up land in Arkansas and agreed to be moved to CADDO
territory. But the CADDO refused to accept the QUAPAW. So, many QUAPAW returned to Arkansas.
Apparently some QUAPAW were successful in settling in CADDO territory. In 1833 the last QUAPAW
relinquished the last bit of land in CADDO territory and were moved to Oklahoma. A QUAPAW treaty with
the CHEROKEE granted them land in Oklahoma. Little else is known about the QUAPAW except that they
did send 14 students to the Carlisle Indian School in the early twentieth century..
It was a time of mass movements of Native American tribes to “Indian Country” (Oklahoma). The CADDO
were no exception. They signed an agreement with the U.S. Government to vacate their land in
Louisiana and move to Texas. Meanwhile the APALACHEE begin to move into Louisiana. They were
partial to the Spanish and left Florida when Spain lost control of Florida. Once in Louisiana they soon
went into hiding and holding secret meetings. These secret meeting lasted roughly until the 1980’s. -1-
The US Government was not content with simply establishing the residence of the CADDO. In 1846 the
CADDO were forced to sign a treaty which gave the US sole and exclusive right of regulating trade with
CADDO. The CADDO and other tribes agreed to give up all their prisoners, give notice to the US
Government of anyone among them or any neighboring tribe threatening the peace of the USA . By 1855
the CADDO had moved to the Brazos Indian Reservation in Texas.
Within 4 years there were only about 1050 CADDO left. They fled a hostile government and moved to
Oklahoma. Three years later most CADDO fled to Kansas to avoid the War Between the States. In 1867
the CADDO returned to Oklahoma. By 1882 the CADDO Confederacy was now large. It was estimated to
have 12 to 24 different groups. At least 3 of these were Louisiana Indian groups, The NATCHITOCHES,
YATASI, and ADAI.
The CADDO managed to stay solvent. In 1902 a CADDO reservation was established. 160 acres was given
to each registered CADDO. The rest of the land was open to settlement. In 1963 more than 60,000 acres
were restored to the private ownership of the CADDO. In 1990 900 CADDO lived on or near their
reservation. Today most of CADDO activity is in Texas near their reservation. However, Rufus Davis Jr.
lives in Robeline, La. He is leader of the ADAI division of the CADDO confederacy.
One of the tribes who belong to the CADDO confederacy is the ADAI. As early as 1530 they are recorded
as living on a village near Robeline, Louisiana where their present chief still lives. In 1716 the Spanish
established a mission among the ADAI. Within three years France and Spain were in battle over ADAI
lands. The ADAI remained loyal to Spain. When France won the war the ADAI were deprived of their
lands. In 1721 the Spanish attempted to re-establish the missions among ADAI that had been abandoned
after the 1719 conflict.
In the late 1700’S and early 1800’S several CHOCTAW members came to Louisiana seeking better hunting
territories. Some of those who migrated here were ADAI members of a Spanish mission in Texas. By 1802
102 ADAI lived in Louisiana. They spoke CADDO as well as French. They were and still are part of a
growing CADDO Confederacy. Little else has been found of their history.
Another member of the CADDO confederacy is the DOUSTIONI. In 1691 a Spanish missionary report lists
the DOUSTIONI near Cedar Bluff, Louisiana. The name means “Salt People” There is a Saline Bayou near
where they ultimately were located. They could have settled there. Also they are listed as migrant. There
are salt domes on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. They also may have migrated there. By 1714 the
DOUSTIONI settle near Natchitoches, Louisiana. In 1719 the DOUSTIONI have 150 members. Little else is
known of them.
The NATCHITOCHES were also a member of the CADDO confederacy. Like many other Indian tribes they
were used as a pawn by the French. By the mid nineteenth century they were forced to become a
member of the CADDO confederacy in order to survive. There is little mention of them after 1835. Most
of their history has been related in telling the history of the CADDO and the CHITIMACHA.
Of all the members of the CADDO confederacy the OUACHITA seem to have left us the least certain
information. One expert claims that they were completely absorbed (presumably by the CADDO) before
1720. Yet in 1820 the Treaty of Doak’s Stand was signed. In this treaty 5.17 millions acres in Mississippi
were ceded by the CHOCTAW Indians. In return they were given 13 million acres of land in Arkansas and
Oklahoma. Reportedly this land had been ceded to the US Government by the OUACHITA. In 1990 an
Arkansas group of OUACHITA petitioned for federal recognition.
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In 1690 the YATASI lived on the Red River several miles northwest of Natchitoches, Louisiana. In 1700
the YATASI were asked to leave the area near Natchitoches Louisiana in order to be protected against
CHICKASAW attacks. By 1776 both the NATCHITOCHES and YATASI were apparently disbanded and
scattered. Both were removed from gift rolls of the French. By 1806 the YATASI numbered 8 men plus 20
women and children. At this time they joined the CADDO CONFEDERACY.
At the beginning of the eighteenth century Britain and France were fighting Queen Anne’s War. The
British armed the CHICKASAW. France armed the BILOXI, HOUMA, ACCOLAPISA, BAYOUGOULA ,
CHOCTAW, NATCHITOCHES, and PASCAGOULA. Both the French and English realize inter tribal enmity is
essential to western expansion of their trade. The early eighteenth century is a time of great tribal
conflict. Much of that conflict was the result of European powers stirring up conflict and mistrust. Still in
1702 the French negotiate the Treaty of Mobile between the CHOCTAW and CHICKASAW. According to
the treaty both will be allies of France. The CHICKASAW will cease slave raids on the CHOCTAW. These
slave raids were pushed by the British. In return the French promised to send in no missionaries.
During the negotiations the French warn the CHICKASAW that the British will eventually take their land.
The French threatened to arm the ACOLAPISSA, CHOCTAWS and others if the CHICKASAW refuse to sign
treaty. France also promises an ample reward in lower trade costs if they both sign the agreement. This
is another example of European powers stirring up inter tribal conflict.
The English encouraged a market in Indian slave trade. The BAYOUGOULA invite the CHITIMACHA to a
banquet and sell them as slaves. A French officer asks the ACOLAPISSA and the NATCHITOCHES to raid
the CHITIMACHA and seize some of their women to be sold as slaves. The French Governor vetoed this
measure but his order was ignored. Governor Bienville was upset because this violated a CHITIMACHA
treaty with the French in 1699. He was equally upset because it made the French appear no better than
the British who initiated such slave trade among the Indians.
Relations between the CHITIMACHA and the French quickly deteriorated. Because of this deterioration
and the trouble with other tribes the French become very defensive. The ACOLAPISA were moved north
of Lake Ponchatrain. The French tell the NATCHITOCHES who are still living with the ACOLAPISA that they
must return to their previous home because the French intend to build a fort on that site. The
ACOLAPISA got nervous and killed 17 NATCHITOCHES men and captured 50 women and children for
adoption into their tribe. The French were forced to intervene and bring peace by paying for the release
of the women.
In 1714 the French established a fort in ALABAMA-COUSHATTA territory and the DOUSTIONI settled near
Natchitoches, La. By 1730 the French had begun an organized effort to force AFRICAN slaves to torture
and kill Indians. The NATCHITOCHES village at Natchitoches had about 200 cabins but was experiencing
a rapid decline in population.
A major problem in Indian relations stemmed from frequent changes in who controlled areas where the
various Indian tribes lived. In 1803 Natchitoches came under the control of the USA through the
Louisiana Purchase. By 1805 The US Government had established a trading post (factory) near
Natchitoches to keep Indians friendly to the USA and to divert Indian trade from the Spanish.
In 1806 the NATCHITOCHES tribe numbered 50. They soon joined the CADDO CONFEDERACY. The YATASI
numbered 8 men plus 20 women and children. They joined the CADDO CONFEDERACY. In 1835 John
Sibley, Indian agent in the New Orleans territory made no mention of the NATCHITOCHES in any of his
reports. By 1840 Captain Shreve had changed the course of the Red River. The NATCHITOCHES were
land locked. They had little choice but to join the CADDO Confederacy.
In 1690 the YATASI lived on the Red River several miles northwest of Natchitoches, Louisiana. By 1700
they were asked to live near Natchitoches Louisiana for protection against CHICKASAW attacks. The
British and the French were struggling for control of the Mississippi River. Little is known about the
YATASI.
The Chitimacha are one of the oldest tribes in Louisiana. Four sacred trees defined the boundaries of
Chitimacha land. One sacred tree was at the mouth of the Mississippi River and marked the southeast
boundary. The southwest boundary was marked by a sacred tree near Cpyremort Point. The northwest
sacred tree was near Maringouin Louisiana and the northeast sacred tree was located southeast of New
Orleans.
There were three other tribes associated with the CHITIMACHA: the CHAWASHA. The WASHA, and the
YANGENECITO. The CHITIMACHA were unique among Louisiana Indian tribes in at least one sense, they
allowed women to assume leadership as chief of the tribe. At least one woman, Eugenie Soulier Rouge,
assumed such a role. She assumed the role from her father. One legend is that her crown was buried
with her in the cemetery of Immaculate Conception Church in Charenton, Louisiana. When Eugenie
Soulier Rouge became chief of the tribe its tribal land began to disappear.
The Chitimacha controlled prime land at the base of the Mississippi River. When European nations came
to Louisiana they lusted after Chitimacha land. As a result they all found themselves almost immediately
in conflict and ultimately at war with the Chitimacha.
The Spanish, for example, used the HOUMA tribe to enslave the Chitimacha and then to confine them to
a small reservation. About 50 of them escaped to Plaquemine, Weeks Island, and elsewhere. Eventually
in the late seventeenth century the Spanish saw an advantage to having the Chitimacha on their side.
Iberville formed an alliance with CHITIMACHA and three other tribes. When a British ship entered the
Mississippi River in 1699 they were attacked by CHITIMACHA. Still the British were able to go 70 miles
upstream. In 1700 French explorers relate that the CHITIMACHA visited the BAYOUGOULA. There a
missionary priest was building a church for the BAYOUGOULA. That same year the Governor blamed a
murder and burning of a plantation on the CHITIMACHA. By now they had been reduced to 40 warriors.
The French seemed to have a special dislike for the CHITIMACHA. One reason was because the French
lusted after their land. At one time the Chitimacha controlled the entire southern region of the
Mississippi River. As a result the French stirred up other tribes against the CHITIMACHA. The
relationship between the CHITIMACHA and the French quickly deteriorated.
Much of the French antagonism apparently was on the part of front line officers. The French promised
weapons to all tribes who would join the confederacy against the CHITIMACHA. In 1706 the TAENSA
massacred a large number of CHITIMACHA.
In 1707 after several years of slave raids by the French the CHITIMACHA responded by killing a French
priest. The priest owned an Indian slave. The CHITIMACHA thought buying a slave was no better than
selling one. The French governor declared war on the CHITIMACHA and asked the ACOLAPISA and other
tribes also to declare war on the CHITIMACHA. In 1708 three tribes provide warriors to the French in
their battle against the CHITIMACHA. Two of the tribes were their allies the CHAWASHA and the WASHA.
In 1718 the CHITIMACHA were defeated. They made a peace march to New Orleans to make peace with
the French.
-4-
The terms of the peace were not very good for the CHITIMACHA. The eastern band of CHITIMACHA Later
referred to as “The Mississippi Band” were almost wiped out. What remained of them was forced to
move to a site near Plaquemine, Louisiana. This was near a French fort. There the French could keep an
eye on them. The French “eyes” were 200 CHAWASHA and 250 WASHA. Both at one time had been allies
of the CHITIMACHA. French force and economic coercion turned them into CHITIMACHA enemies. The
treaty split the CHITIMACHA into two nations.
One nation lived on the Mississippi River and the upper part of Bayou Lafourche. The other lived along
Bayou Teche and Grand Lake. The other was undetected and lived on Bayou Teche and Grand Lake.
Today both groups are alive and well.
The CHITIMACHA live on their reservation in Charenton, Louisiana. It sits on the western edge of Grand
Lake and on Bayou Teche. The BILOXI-CHITIMACHA-CHOCTAW of Lafourche and Terrebone tribe has just
recently been granted state recognition by the State of Louisiana. This tribe has no reservation but most
of its members live in Lafourche and Terrebome parishes. Bayou Lafourche was known at one time as
the “River of the Chitimachas“. The part of the CHITIMCAHA who lived along the Mississippi River seems
to have disappeared. If there any survivors it is believed that they might be found today among the
HOUMA.
By the time the CHITIMACHA came under Spanish control again they seemed to have developed a better
relationship with the Spanish. Perhaps the Spanish recognized their own inability to struggle with the
CHITIMACHA. Perhaps the CHITIMACHA had become more adept at western warfare. Whatever the
reason when the Spanish took over control of Louisiana they quickly recognized the CHITIMACHA and
made sure their territory was recognized.
With the introduction of AFRICAN slavery into Louisiana the threat to CHITMACHA enslavement seemed
to end. AFRICAN slaves seemed to be more to the liking of white plantation owners than CHITMACHA
slaves. The AFRICAN slaves were less likely to rebel than Indian slaves. AFRICAN slaves were new to
the area. They did not know all the various hideouts in the swamps. European explorers, hunters, and
trappers had to rely on Indian guides if they dared go into the Basin. So the CHITIMACHA could easily run
away and hide in the swamps around the area.
It is ludicrous to note that the Spanish Government would “grant” land in a nation that is not theirs. It is
even more ludicrous to think they could “grant” such land to a people who had lived there and taken
care of the land long before any Spanish explorer even imagined the land existed. Such ludicrous
activity is one of the major features of the entire story of Native American history, However, after such a
“grant” by the Spanish Government to the CHITIMACHA many others came in to take advantage of this
“grant” and the CHITIMACHA hospitality..
The Chitimacha were very welcoming to others who came to partake of their hospitality. Several other
Native American tribes came to Louisiana. Some because they did not want to be under British rule after
the French were defeated by the British in 1763. What no one seemed to know (even Spanish officials in
Louisiana) was France had ceded Louisiana to Spain when it became apparent the British would win the
war and control everything in the USA controlled by the French. Other Native American tribes came
because hunting lands had dried east of the Mississippi River.
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The CHITIMACHA were welcoming of fellow Indians. But then the Europeans began showing up. The
ACADIANS exiled from Acadia by the British in 1755. Even some BRITISH settlers who thought they were
coming into British territory. In 1779 sixteen SPANISH families. A prolonged drought brought the CREEK,
CHIKASAW, and CHOCTAW. In 1789 FRENCH aristocrats fleeing the revolution in France. AFRICAN slaves
were frequently imported into Cypremort Point. Haitians fleeing a slave revolt came in 1795. The
CHITIMACHA have had contact with most tribes who have formed part of Louisiana history. They have
been hosts to and become a part most European groups who migrated to this area. Their welcoming
spirit is attested in a series of flags which fly on the grounds of the Catholic Church in Charenton,
Louisiana just a few feet off the present Chitimacha reservation.
In the mid nineteenth century the CHITIMACHA were given a government decree establishing their title
to 1062 acres of land. This was a recognition by the US Government of the validity of the Spanish grant
in the eighteenth century. Very quickly unscrupulous lawyers, land merchants, and others took
advantage of their inability to read and deprived them of much of that land. By 1919 they were almost
completely without land. Ms. Sarah McILLHENEY answered their plea for help and was able to help
restore just under 300 acres of their land. McILLHeney purchased the land at a sheriff’s sale, ceded (or
sold) it to the Federal Government in perpetual trust as a reservation for the CHITIMACHA. In the early
twentieth century the CHITIMACHA were able to send 23 of their young students to Carlisle Indian School
in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
The CHAWASHA was one of the Louisiana tribes related to the CHITIMACHA. They had one of more
ancient sites in Louisiana, an ancient CHAWASHA ceremonial mound near the coast. Little has been
preserved of that site. By 1519 the CHITIMACHA and the CHAWASHA were the principal dwellers in
Louisiana. In 1713 a combined force of CHISKASAW, NATCHEZ, and YAZOO came to the CHAWASHA for
peace talks. When the grand chief of the CHAWASHA arrived he and several of his family were killed by
the “peace” team. The same team also took 11 CHITIMACHA prisoners and sold them as slaves to the
British. In 1729 the Governor sent a group of AFRICAN slaves to a CHAWASHA town and killed everyone.
In 1764 the CHAWASHA together with the PENSACOLA, BILOXI, CHATOT, CAPINAS, WASHATA (Ouachito)
and PASCAGOULA all numbered only 251 men.
The CHAWASHA and the WASHA had both been powerful forces in resisting Europeans prior to the mid
sixteenth century. As the French began playing tribe against tribe their power and the numbers
gradually diminished. In 1699 there were as many as 700 CHAWASHA and WASHA. By 1753 their numbers
had dwindled to below 400. By 1784 there were only 135. By 1806 5 CHAWASHA and WASHA lived among
the French. Part of the reason for their demise was alcohol, something introduced by European settlers.
Between disease, warfare, and alcohol the Europeans managed to exterminate nearly 90% of the Native
population of Louisiana. In their final years they were pawns of whatever European force was in control.
We can only guess what happened to them. The best guess is however few of them remained were
eventually absorbed by the HOUMA or CHITIMACHA.
The CHICKASAW also formed a large confederation of Indians. The CHICKASAW are one of the few tribes
who have their own recorded history prior to the coming of the Europeans. The CHICASAW migrated
from west of the Mississippi River. As they travelled each night priests placed a pole in the ground, The
direction the pole leaned in the morning was the direction they would travel that day. The pole always
pointed east until the tribe reached Huntsville Alabama. That morning the pole stood erect. So the
CHICKASAW settled there.
By 1240 the CHICKASAW numbered 15,000 members. They did not lose numbers as quickly as other
tribes. One reason is they lived in remote areas, away from epidemics and sicknesses. A second reason
is they absorbed many smaller tribes. -6-
By 1670 Charleston South Carolina had been established by the British in an attempt to slow Spanish
expansion along the Atlantic coast. They also intended to turn a profit but the couldn’t compete for
Florida trade with Jamestown who had been founded 60 years earlier. So they attempted to expand their
trade network to Indians in the west. The CHICKASAW and the YAZOO were the tribes most under the
influence of English traders from Charleston.
British traders reached the Mississippi River seeking deerskin and slaves for their plantations. The
British found the CHICKASAW receptive and the two became allies. The CHICKASAW began raiding
neighboring tribes seeking British slaves. This slave trade became a major occupation for the
CHICKASAW. As this trade developed the British were willing to offer firearms to the CHICKASAW if they
would fight the CHOCTAW.
As the British and French were struggled for control of the Mississippi River they vied for CHICKASAW
favor and support. Each offered gifts and better trading agreements. As a result the CHICKASAW nation
was divided into 2 factions, one pro British the other pro French. France attempted to forcibly expel
British traders from among the CHICKASAW.
During Queen Anne’s War the British armed the CHICKASAW. The France armed the OTHER TRIBES:
BILOXI , HOUMA, ACCOLAPISA, BAYOUGOULA, CHOCTAW, NATCHITOCHES, and PASCAGOULA. The
CHICKASAW will cease slave raids on the CHOCTAW. The French will send in no missionaries. During the
negotiations the French warned the CHICKASAW that the British will eventually take their land. The
French also threatened to arm the ACOLAPISSA, CHOCTAWS and others if the CHICKASAW refused to
sign the treaty. The French also promised lower trade costs if the CHICKASAW signed the treaty.
By 1705 British traders got the pro British CHICKASAW to resume their slave raids. The CHICKASAW
began raiding the TAENSA who abandoned their land and moved in with the BAYOUGOULA. CHICKASAW
raids also forced the TUNICA to move in with the HOUMA. The TUNICA were well known for their salt
trade and for trading in horses.
In 1736 a French raid on the CHICKASAW was disastrous to the French. The British sent munitions to the
CHICKASAW. In 1781 the CHICKASAW closed the Mississippi River to Spanish traffic. The CHICKASAW
were a mighty force and helped the British defeat the French in the French and Indian War. The
CHICKASAW staved off the CREEK in 1795. But by 1801 the CHICKASAW ceded their land so the US could
build the Natchez Trace. This was the first of many CHICKASAW cessions. Eventually they were forced to
cede all their land in Mississippi. They were eventually forced to lease land in Oklahoma from the
CHOCTAW. The history of these two tribes has been linked together by war and by British and French
manipulation and misuse. There are Some items not already mentioned about CHOCTAW and CHICKASAW
history. The CHOCTAW sent 82 of their members to the Carlisle Indian School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
The CHICKASAW sent 16. The CHOCTAW-APACHE COMMUNITY of EBARB is officially recognized by the
State of Louisiana.
In 1569 some Catholic missionaries forced the BILOXI to destroy a pagan temple and to accept
Christianity. The BILOXI were a member of the Sioux group. They originally lived around Biloxi,
Mississippi. In the early 1700’s the BILOXI were persuaded to abandon their own village and to settle
near New Orleans. In 1763 some BILOXI moved to Louisiana. The BILOXI and the 6 other Indian nations
the BILOXI were forced to live with had a combined population of only 251 men. In 1765 the remaining
BILOXI and 6 other Indian nations fled to Louisiana to avoid British rule.
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The Biloxi had become a very migrant people. In the early eighteenth century the BILOXI sold their land.
Some remained in Louisiana on the Red River, others moved to Texas. Later part of the BILOXI returned
to Louisiana and others moved to Oklahoma. In 1828 some BILOXI moved to Texas. In 1836 the BILOXI
and the CHEROKEE signed a treaty of at Chief Bowl’s Village. This treaty ceded BILOXI land to A BAND OF
the CHEROKEE.
In 1843 some BILOXI signed a Treaty with Texas at Bird’s Fort. This treaty came as the result of several
years of costly warfare among several different tribes. In the treaty the State of Texas became somewhat
of a guardian of the various tribes attempting to insure peace among them. Terms of the treaty gave the
Governor of Texas much power over the lives of the Indians. They were punishable and subject to all
Texas law. The Governor could send in schoolmasters and their families to teach them the English
language and the Christian religion. They may have munitions only if he thinks they are “behaving
themselves”. Any mines discovered on their reservation will be worked by the State. The Governor may
make any agreement with that he deems to be for their peace and happiness.
In 1700 there were 60 villages and about 3500 persons who made up the MUSKHOGEAN family which
includes OKELOUSA , QUINIPISA, BAYOUGOULA, TAENSA, AVOYEL, TANGIPAHOA, ACOLIPISA, HOUMA,
CHOCTAW, and NATCHEZ nations. In Queen Anne’s War they were a united force against the British. In
that war CHICKASAW raids forced the TUNICA to move in with the HOUMA. In 1708 the TUNICA attacked
their hosts. In 1716 the BAYOUGOULA became part of the HOUMA nation. The ACOLAPISA moved to the
east bank of the Mississippi River just above New Orleans. They were gradually absorbed by the HOUMA
and moved with them to Donaldsonville.
In 1721 smallpox killed more than half of the ACOLOPISA, BAYOUGOULA, and HOUMA. In 1739 these three
tribes had less than 500 members. When Pro British Choctaws attacked French settlements on the
German Coast Louisiana in 1747 the raid evoked a response from the ACOLOPISA BAYOUGOULA and
HOUMA. By 1776 many HOUMA had left. The remaining HOUMA sold land to 2 French CREOLE. Small
groups of HOUMA remained until 1840. The HOUMA (ACOLAPISA) moved to Terrebone and LaFourche
Parishes..
In 1994 federal recognition of the HOUMA is denied. The reason given for the denial is that no treaty
exists between the HOUMA and the USA. In 2004 the UNITED HOUMA NATION is again denied federal
recognition.
In 1938 a TUNICA Indian still claimed descent from the AVOYEL tribe. In 1981 the TUNICA-BILOXI tribes
were recognized by the Federal Government. This tribe included the TUNICA and merged remnants of
the BILOXI, AVOYEL , OFO, and CHOCTAW tribes. Today some BILOXI live in Rapides Parish (La.) Others
live with the CHOCTAWS in Oklahoma, 200 TUNICA-BILOXI live on a reservation near Marksville
Louisiana. Also in Marksville is the chairman of the AVOYEL-TAENSA TRIBE NATION. They are presently
seeking recognition.
Little is known about the OKELOUSA. One of the MUSCOGEAN group was the QUINAPISA. In 1682 they
attacked LaSalle’s expedition near Hahnville. Despite QUINAPISA resistance La Salle reached the mouth
of the Mississippi and claimed the area for France. In 1699 the QUINAPISA feared French retaliation and
moved in with BAYOUGOULA. They called themselves MUGULASHA. Many of the QUINAPISA had already
died of an epidemic. When asked by the French the BAYOUGOULA told the French they had never heard
of the QUINAPISA.
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A few years later the MUGULASHA (QUINAPISA?) sold the French land for a fort to protect against the
British. At the time the ruse between the BAYOUGOULA and the QUINAPISA was revealed. The
BAYOUGOULA feared retaliation by the French and killed the QUINAPISA. Then Iberville began to
threaten the BAYOUGOULA to give France all MUGULASHA land. Since all the MUGULASHA (QUINAOPISA)
had been killed the France claimed all of their previous land.
In 1698 there were 280 AVOYEL. They were apparently part of the NATCHEZ nation. They were part of the
MUSKOGEAN family. They raised long horned cattle and traded with the Mexicans. By 1805 the AVOYEL
nation was believed to be extinct. But one account says there were 2 or 3 AVOYEL women living among
French Inhabitants of Ouachita who claim to be AVOYEL
But in our day the TUNICA-BILOXI tribe recognized by the Federal Government includes the TUNICA and
merged Remnants of the AVOYEL and other tribes. An AVOYEL TAENSA TRIBE NATION is seeking federal
recognition.
In 1600 the ACOLAPISA population was between 3000 and 4000. In 1670 they had six villages. In 1682 the
surviving TANGIPAHOA merged with ACOLAPISA. By 1690 the ACOLAPISA had not yet encountered white
men. Once they encountered white men, like other tribes their population began to dwindle. In 1699 the
ACOLAPISA population had dwindled to 300 warriors and 1500 total population. The OKELOUSA and the
OFO are also tribes who appeared in Louisiana history and were part of the MUSKOGEAN family.
The ALABAMA tribe has a rather typical tribal history. The first written record of ALABAMA is seen in
Spanish records in 1541. At that time they are noted as a tribe in Florida. By 1680 Native American
population was 25% to 40% of what it had been in 1500. The ALABAMA like other tribes moved to take
over some land. By 1809 the ALABAMA were living with the COUSHATTA about 70 miles from
Nacodoches, Texas. During this period whites had been ignoring treaties. There were several thousand
illegal squatters in Indian land. In 1873 there was a bill introduced in U.S. Congress to remove the
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA and PAKANA-MUSKOGEE into CREEK territory in Oklahoma. In 1876 the ALABAMA
discovered they had no title to their 263 acres of reservation. A 1859 land survey had not been filed with
the Land Office.
In 1881 the lumber industry began in Texas. It provided jobs for ALABAMA. The Presbyterian Church
established a mission on their reservation. In 1924 American Indians became citizens of the USA. In 1930
the ALABAMA-COUSHATTA tribal council organized. In 1934 the Indian Reorganization Act allowed Indians
to incorporate under a federal charter. In 1938 the ALABAMA-COUSHATTA corporate charter was
approved. By 1993 there were 893 ALABAMA-COUSHATTA citizens recorded on their tribal rolls.
There is not much record of the APACHE tribe in Louisiana. In the late 1790’s some were sold on the
Natchitoches, Louisiana slave market. 263 students of the APACHE tribe attended the Carlisle Indian
School in Pennsylvania. In 1977 the CHOCTAW-APACHE Community of Ebarb was officially recognized by
the State of Louisiana.
The ATTAKAPAS are one of those tribes who were presumed to be extinct. On the contrary several tribal
members are continually publishing information on the tribes history and continued existence, In 2003
members of the trribe appealed to the Louisiana Legislature for state recognition as a tribe.
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In 1698 there were 3500 ATTAKAPAS. In 1720 the ATTAKAPAS language was recorded. It was published in
1932. In 1728 the ATTAKAPAS were trading with other Indians as well as the Spanish and the French; In
1731 the French used the ATTAKAPAS to fight the NATCHEZ. In 1756 Gabriel Fuselier de la Claire, the first
commander of the new post at St. Martinville bought land from the ATTAKAPAS chief.
By 1777 the ATTAKAPAS were loose bands of people that move about in the area. In 1779 140 ATTAKAPAS
warriors were included in the Spanish army which attacked the British. By 1805 The ATTAKAPAS had
been reduced to 105 members. By 1908 there were 9 known ATTAKAPAS. European diseases had wiped
them out. They were all married to Acadians and Anglos. The US Census probably ignored their
intermarriage with CREOLES and AFRICAN AMERICANS.
In 1932 the ATTAKAPAS language was published. It was considered to be a posthumous publication. But
in 2003 the ATTAKAPAS requested state recognition from the State of Louisiana. Their request was
turned down but the tribe intends to continue their effort for recognition.
One of the lesser known tribes in Louisiana is the KOROA. In 1729 they joined the NATCHEZ in the
Natchez War. It is believed that the KOROA migrated to the Louisiana Coast for the purpose of producing
salt. The KOROA decorated their houses with great round plates of shining copper. Many KOROA joined
with the TUNICA. Some joined the CHICKASAW. Some joined the NATCHEZ.
The NATCHEZ were one of the first tribes to be affected by European diseases. Between 1539 and 1543
diseases brought by the Spanish nearly decimates the NATCHEZ. By 1698 there were 280 AVOYEL who
were apparently part of the NATCHEZ nation. By 1700 the NATCHEZ were part of the MUSKOGEAN family.
In 1729 the French ordered the inhabitants of a NATCHEZ village to evacuate and give the land to the
French. In response NATCHEZ warriors joined with AFRICAN slaves to kill 200 French and liberate 300
AFRICAN slaves.
In retaliation the French governor sent a group of AFRICAN slaves to a CHAWASHA town with orders to
kill everyone. In return the NATCHEZ offered freedom to all slaves held by the French The French feared
this practice might spread to other Indian tribes. Tensions increased between the NATCHEZ and French
colonists. The NATCHEZ killed 250 French. The French in turn uses the ATTAKAPAS to fight the NATCHEZ.
Another tribe found in Louisiana is the OPELOUSAS. A city is named after them. They and the ATTAKAPAS
are known to have a trading alliance with the French.
One of the tribes which became consolidated with many tribes was the TUNICA. In 1700 they were forced
to move in with the HOUMA. In 1708 the TUNICA along with the ACOLAPISA and the BAYOUGOULA joined
the French in a battle against the CHITIMACHA. Eventually they joined with the BILOXI to form the TUNICA-
BILOXI tribe. In 1930 one of the TUNICA Indians still claimed to be a descent from the AVOYEL tribe.
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