John Rodrigue
Pointe-aux-Chênes, Louisiana United Houma Nation Favorite Tradition Fishing Being UHN “ A good thing about it is that tribes can get together and teach their children their heritage.” Growing Up in South Louisiana “We fished a lot, shrimp, a lot of commercial fishing. As far as playtime, you made your own playtime.” Listen
Clyde Billiot
Golden Meadow, Louisiana United Houma Nation Favorite Tradition “We loved swimming, playing in the bayou, climbing my aunt and uncles trees. Can’t go wrong. We used play sticks, where you take a stick and throw it and see wherever it lands. We used to play that a lot.” Being UHN “ It means when you […]
Regalia
By Jade Hawkins, photo editor REGALIA Houma women from three generations — Jasmine Rain, Morning Dove and Bette Billiot — wearing traditional regalia that would be normally worn for ceremonies, dancing or prayer. They are all holding their shawls and feather fans, both would be used in dances. MorningDove says she loves to dance with […]
Modern Culture
By robbie trosclair, staff writer The United Houma Nation has an important and unique way of life. The culture they have been developing for hundreds of years has not been forgotten by them and instead has been cleverly adapted to and retaught in ways that match modern times. Areas like traditional jewelry, basket weaving, fishing […]
Seeking Federal Recognition
By Jade Williams, features editor The United Houma Nation is a tribe with over 19,000 members who have been recognized by the state of Louisiana, but have been fighting for years to get federal recognition. “We’ve been fighting for federal recognition for over 40 years. I don’t exactly know how long it could take, but […]
Bette Billiot
Dulac, Louisiana United Houma Nation Favorite Tradition “Outside of family coming together at powwows, it would be getting together with my aunts and cooking and learning their cooking.” Being UHN “I am very prideful of who I am and where I come from. I think it was meant for me to be a part of […]
Joshua Pitre
Cut Off, Louisiana currently in Washington DC United Houma Nation Pitre is the director of government relations at Clause Law in Washington DC. He has worked on behalf of tribal nations for more than a decade. See his full professional bio. Favorite Tradition “One of the most important traditions that I’ve been able to learn […]
Ryan Anthony Williams
Houma, LOuisiana United Houma Nation Williams is an actor, model and director known for his roles in: Genius The Devil All the Time Queen Sugar
Celebrations of Life
By Robbie Trosclair, staff writer For the seasons of life, the United Houma Nation combines their traditions with the culture of the surrounding French Cajuns. Traditions like smudging, smoking pipes and prayer songs are integrated with infant baptism baptism, marriage feasts and wedding masses. And in all these traditions, music accompanies each life event. The […]
Powwows
powwow in pictures There are many different styles of dance that take place during a powwow. Each dancer wears regalia unique to that style. Items such as jewelry, pottery, baskets and art are sold from vendors. They are all hand-crafted and authentic to the tribe’s origin. The drumming that takes place during a powwow is […]