Fred B. Kniffen - The Historic Indian Tribes of Louisiana

From 1542 to the Present

Fred B. Kniffen
Hiram F. Gregory
George A. Stokes

LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Baton Rouge

Published by Louisiana State University Press
Copyright 1987 by Louisiana State University Press
All rights reserved
Manufactured in the United States of America
Designer: Christopher J. Wilcox
Typeface: Aster
Typesetter: G & S Typesetters, Inc.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Kniffen, Fred Bowerman, 1900
The historic Indian tribes of Louisiana.
Includes index.
1. Indians of North AmericaLouisiana. I. Gregory, Hiram F. II. Stokes, George A., 1920 III. Title.
E78.L8K59 1987 976.3'00497 86-27601
ISBN 978-0-8071-1963-1 (paper)
The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources.
Louisiana Paperback Edition, 1994
Fifth printing, 2010

Figures

Maps

T his book tells part of the story of the Indian people of Louisiana, with particular attention to their experiences in historic times. Although the span coveredfrom 1542 to the presentis only a moment of their time in Louisiana, it was marked by such catastrophic events as the disappearance of tribes, the extinction of languages and other ancient culture traits, large-scale migration, and traumatic changes in economic and political status and custom.

Perhaps this book will remind a generation or two of others who went before them. Perhaps it will recall to ethnocentric Europeans their obligation to the land they have named Louisiana; it had had generations of well-nigh perfect care before they arrogated to themselves most of that responsibility.

Deeply felt is the hope that this book will generate greater interest, among Indians and their contemporaries alike, in the Indians contributions to their common heritage. If a single young person is persuaded to ask his grandparents about Indian culture, the effort has been worthwhile. It has been even more worthwhile if the reader tells others what the old Indian people have asked teachers to teach, that is: We are still here. We are alive; we are Indian people. This is our home.

T elling this story with a useful degree of accuracy and understanding has required much help. To all of those who have contributed the information so essential to this work, we say Yakoke. Many Indian people have generously shared their personal and tribal experiences and lore. It is a pleasure to name them here. Any error of omission is unintentional and deeply regretted. The Indian people are listed as follows. CADDO: Mary Burnett, Charlene Hodge, Phil Newkumet, Hank Shemayme, Irvin Whitebead, Mr. and Mrs. Melford Williams, Thompson Williams; CATAHOULA LAKEBLACK RIVER: Napoleon Book, Claribel Gregory Burford, Delson Chevalier, Clinton Enlow, Hildred Fuqua, Charles Hampton, Emma Phillips Hampton, W. W. Hampton, Adele Kinney, Calvin Kinney, Will Nichols, Dennis Oneal, Emerick Sanson, Gilbert Sanson, Luther Sanson, Steve Sanson, David Smith, Louis White, Charles Joe Wiley, Louis Wiley, Oliver Wiley, Virgin Wiley; CHITIMACHA: Larry Burgess, Leroy Burgess, Lydia Darden, Pete Mora, Benjamin Paul, Pauline Paul, Chief and Mrs. Emile Stouff, Mr. and Mrs. LeMay Wahl; CLIFTON CHOCTAW: Luther Clifton, Pearl Shackleford, Mr. and Mrs. Amos Tyler, Carroll Tyler, Mr. and Mrs. Norris Tyler, Paul Tyler; EAST BATON ROUGE CHOCTAW: David Broom, Ralph Black Hawk Murphy; JENA BAND OF CHOCTAW: Beverly Jones Allen, George Allen, Clyde Jackson, Mary Jones, Anderson Lewis, Jesse Lewis, Lily Lewis, Dorothy Nugent; EBARB CHOCTAWAPACHE: Beto Castie, Kenneth Ebarb, Mr. and Mrs. (Marie) Martin Ebarb, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Ebarb, Mr. and Mrs. Red Ezernack, Maggie Manshack, Frank Martnez, Monsignor George Martinez, Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Martnez, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Martnez, Rheet Paddie, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Parie, Ed and Callie Procell, Ed and Sally Procell, Joe Remedies, Steve Remedies, Edna Sepulvado, Dr. Lester Sepulvado, Thomas Sepulvado, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Toby; HOUMA: Antoine Billiot, Ernest Billiot, John Billiot, Marie Dean, Helen Gindrat, Roy Parfait; KOASATI: Bel Abbey, Martin Abbey, Mona Abbey, Nora Abbey, Margie Abbey Baptiste, Solomon Baptiste, Bertney Langley, Joe Langley, Lorena Langley, Rosaline Langley, Jamison Poncho, Joyce Poncho, Lovelin Poncho, Robert Poncho, Ruth Poncho, Ernest Sickey, Curtis Sylestine, Lowell Sylestine, Mona Sylestine, Marie Thompson, Sam Thompson, Myrna Abbey Wilson, Wilifred Wilson; TUNICA-BILOXI: Earl Barbry, Nathan Barbry, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Barbry, Sylvester Barbry, Arthur Bordelon, Clementine Broussard, Harry Broussard, Florence Jackson, Ana Mae Juneau, Norma Kwajo, Alice Picote, Horace Pierite, Joseph Pierite, Jr., Joseph Alcide Pierite, Sr., Merlan Pierite, Rosa Pierite, Mary Vercher, Rose Pierite White; PAN-INDIAN GROUPS: Lloyd Elm (Mohawk), Jerry Hill (Oneida), Arlinda Locklear (Lumbee), Sarah Peralta (Apache), W. J. Strickland (Lumbee).

We also turned to our colleagues and students for information and encouragement. The late Richard Joel Russell had much influence on our views of mans relationships to the land, as had the late Carl O. Sauer. William B. Knipmeyer read proof, critiqued, and helped in other ways, while Marietta M. LeBreton imparted her profound knowledge of Louisiana Indian and colonial policies. Their patience and help are gratefully acknowledged. The late William Willis shared with us his view of the New Anthropology, which was being reinvented in the 1970s. His help, along with that of Vine Deloria, Jr., led us to seek a new approach to the integration of the ancient and modern aspects of Louisiana Indian culture.

Coupled with the efforts of Deloria, those of Ernest C. Downs, consultant to the Institute for the Development of Indian Law, resulted in a grant from the Sachem Fund of the Mellon Foundation that made fieldwork possible and supported visits to tribal areas. Donald Juneau, attorney with the Native American Rights Fund, promoted tribal developments, and his ad hoc lectures on Indian law are reflected in the last chapter of this book.

A number of dedicated Mennonite Central Committee Volunteers shared their knowledge with us: Greg Bowman and Jan Roper-Curry (with the Houma), Mary Van Rheenan and Janet Shoemaker (with the Choctaw-Apache), and Sherry Miller and Miriam Rich (with the Clifton Choctaw). Their sojourns, though all too brief, made the tribal areas better places.

We are grateful to Donald G. Hunter of Alexandria for photographs and access to valuable field data on Koasati culture. We must also thank Michael Schene and James Eisenagle of the National Park Service team at Jean Lafitte National Park, who worked with us on documentation and ethnohistory. Paula Johnson of Abita Springs spent much time researching the Choctaw of southeastern Louisiana and kindly shared her findings and experiences with us.

A special measure of appreciation is due Clarence H. Webb of Shreveport, William G. Haag of Baton Rouge, the late Robert S. Neitzel of Marksville, and the late James A. Ford of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. These eminent archaeologists have provided insights into change and culture that have guided much of the historicity in this book.

Recognition must also be accorded to the work of amateur ethnologists who have given us much help. Among those who have known and loved the traditional Indian cultures of Louisiana are Tom Colvin of Mandeville, his mother, Melba Colvin, and his late father, who made major contributions to Choctaw materials. Others sharing with us their knowledge of the Choctaw were Jo Evans of Ferriday and the late U. B. Evans.