HOUMA, La. — After a five-year hiatus, the United Houma Nation in Louisiana returned with a celebration honoring those with disabilities.
Sunday, the nation had an intertribal powwow, inviting different tribes from the surrounding area and the community. A powwow can be described as a social gathering to share experiences, reconnect with old friends, and make new ones.
There are nearly 19,000 members of the United Houma Nation.
"We are celebrating abilities with disabilities powwow," said Lora Ann Chaisson, Principal Chief, United Houma Nation. "We have not had a powwow since before COVID, and so it's really nice to have tribal people from all over the United States here celebrating with us."
It's a family reunion, she said.
The celebration began with the grand entry also known as the Gathering of Nations, as each tribe member took to the center circle. Members performed traditional dances while the drummers sang native songs to the beat.
"I'm here dancing for my family, all of the lost ancestors that helped dance with us and all the veterans" said Boyd Langley Sr., member of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. "I feel the blessing over me and all over us, it's a good feeling."
The gathering was significant as the last five years have been tough, from the COVID-19 pandemic to Hurricane Zeta and Ida and the loss of nine tribal elders.
Houma Nation member Jason Pitre said holding the powwow is important because it lets people know, "We're still here. We're not going anywhere."
With Sunday being Father's Day, the nation also honored fathers. It was a full-circle moment for Jason Pitre to watch his four-year-old son experience his first powwow.
"That's the best present you can ask for," Pitre said.
Chaisson honored her 88-year-old father, Theo Chaisson, who is the last of the protestors in Houma after the members of the tribe were not allowed to go to school or certain places and did not have equal pay.
"He's the last one. I wanted to make sure we honored him," she said. "Because it's very important that the younger generation knows that every generation has paved the way for our people. We're still here, and we're survivors."
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