Chitimacha Indians in Louisiana Chitimacha Indians in Louisiana.

Chitimacha Chitimacha Indians in Indians in Louisiana Louisiana

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• In Charenton In Charenton Louisiana, there Louisiana, there are Native are Native Americans who live Americans who live on their Chitimacha on their Chitimacha Reservation. Reservation.

• This Indian Nation is very This Indian Nation is very proud of their heritage. The proud of their heritage. The reservation is located near reservation is located near Bayou Teche. The Chitimacha Bayou Teche. The Chitimacha Tribe has been in Louisiana for Tribe has been in Louisiana for a very long time. The word a very long time. The word “Chitmacha” means “red “Chitmacha” means “red altogether”.altogether”.

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• There is an old Chitimacha There is an old Chitimacha legend that says that Bayou legend that says that Bayou Teche was created by a Teche was created by a huge poisonous snake. It huge poisonous snake. It was so large that it was not was so large that it was not measured in feet but in measured in feet but in miles. The legend says that miles. The legend says that it head was where Morgan it head was where Morgan City is now and it’s tail was City is now and it’s tail was near St. Martinville. near St. Martinville.

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• If you look on the internet If you look on the internet or any map, it shows you or any map, it shows you that the mythical snake that the mythical snake would have been almost 25 would have been almost 25 feet long! Many legends feet long! Many legends and stories of the older and stories of the older Chitimacha Indians are still Chitimacha Indians are still part of the tribe today. part of the tribe today.

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• On the reservation long ago On the reservation long ago life was different. Both then life was different. Both then and now the reservation had and now the reservation had beautiful trees. Long ago they beautiful trees. Long ago they lived in round or rectangular lived in round or rectangular houses. Louisiana Indians did houses. Louisiana Indians did not live in teepees. Today, the not live in teepees. Today, the Chitimacha Tribes live in Chitimacha Tribes live in regular houses, have a regular houses, have a museum, offices, and a museum, offices, and a school. school.

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• The reservation at this time is The reservation at this time is on 260 acres of land. The on 260 acres of land. The school built in the village is for school built in the village is for children in Pre K through eighth children in Pre K through eighth grade. When the students leave grade. When the students leave this school they attend either this school they attend either West St. Mary High School West St. Mary High School located in Baldwin, Louisiana or located in Baldwin, Louisiana or Hanson Memorial High.Hanson Memorial High.

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• The Chitimacha The Chitimacha Indians hunted, fished Indians hunted, fished and trapped to and trapped to survive. Dance, music survive. Dance, music and storytelling have and storytelling have always been a part of always been a part of the Chitimacha tribes. the Chitimacha tribes.

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• Music was made by drums, Music was made by drums, alligator skins, gourd rattles alligator skins, gourd rattles and flutes. The children and flutes. The children practice their dance each practice their dance each week. Basket weaving is a week. Basket weaving is a still a part of the Chitimacha still a part of the Chitimacha traditions. traditions.

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• The Chitimacha Tribe is very proud of it’s history.The Chitimacha Tribe is very proud of it’s history.

Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers

1. Did the Louisiana Chitimacha Indians live in teepees? Did the Louisiana Chitimacha Indians live in teepees?

2. An old legend says that Bayou Teche was created by a huge and poisonous 2. An old legend says that Bayou Teche was created by a huge and poisonous ___.___.

3. The Chitimacha Indians live on an Indian _______________________________ .3. The Chitimacha Indians live on an Indian _______________________________ .

4. How many acres of land does the reservation have? ____________________ .4. How many acres of land does the reservation have? ____________________ .

5. In the legend, how many miles long was the snake that created Bayou Teche? 5. In the legend, how many miles long was the snake that created Bayou Teche? ____

6. What three things did the Indians do to eat and survive? 6. What three things did the Indians do to eat and survive? _________________, ______________________ , _______________________________________, ______________________ , ______________________

7. What do Chitimacha Indians make that people buy? _______________________7. What do Chitimacha Indians make that people buy? _______________________

8. Are the Indian reservations the same today as long ago? _____ Explain your 8. Are the Indian reservations the same today as long ago? _____ Explain your answer. __________________________________________________________answer. __________________________________________________________